Piastri Addresses Deleted Social Media Post Amidst McLaren Favouritism Speculation Ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix

Las Vegas, NV – Oscar Piastri, the highly-regarded McLaren driver, has moved to de-escalate a burgeoning social media controversy ahead of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, following the brief appearance and subsequent deletion of a post on one of his official accounts that hinted at perceived favouritism towards his teammate, Lando Norris. The incident unfolded just hours before Piastri secured a fifth-place start for Sunday’s race on the iconic Vegas Strip, a session that saw Norris claim a dominant pole position.

The brief but impactful social media blip occurred when Piastri’s Instagram account shared a graphic containing a quotation attributed to former Formula 1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone. The comment, which suggested that the Woking-based McLaren outfit might be prioritising Norris, quickly caught the attention of the championship’s vigilant fanbase before its swift removal. Such incidents, even if fleeting, invariably spark widespread discussion across online platforms, particularly within the passionate F1 community.

Speaking to the media after qualifying under the dazzling lights of Sin City, Piastri was directly questioned about the repost. His response was succinct and suggested a degree of detachment from the incident itself. "I don’t know, I woke up this morning and saw it, so I don’t know. Maybe I accidentally did it, obviously it was not intentional, but yeah, I didn’t know what had happened, so I don’t know," Piastri stated, offering minimal elaboration.

This measured reaction aligns with the widely understood operational protocols governing the digital presence of modern Formula 1 drivers. It is a common, almost universal, practice across the grid for high-profile athletes like Piastri to delegate the management of their social media channels to dedicated public relations teams or personal assistants. These professionals handle content creation, scheduling, and community engagement, allowing drivers to maintain focus on their demanding on-track responsibilities. The explanation that Piastri "woke up" to the news strongly supports the hypothesis that he had little to no direct involvement in the posting or subsequent deletion of Ecclestone’s quote, suggesting a third party was likely responsible for the inadvertent share.

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The substance of the deleted post, namely Bernie Ecclestone’s assertion of McLaren favouring Norris, adds a layer of intrigue to the situation. Ecclestone, who presided over Formula 1’s commercial rights for decades, remains an influential, albeit sometimes controversial, voice within the sport. His comments, even from a historical figure, can resonate and fuel existing narratives or create new ones. The notion of team favouritism, while often denied by teams, is a recurring theme in multi-driver outfits in F1, especially when two highly competitive drivers are paired together. McLaren, like many top teams, publicly maintains a policy of equal opportunity and resources for both its drivers, aiming for optimal performance from both cars. However, the dynamics of driver development, contract lengths, and perceived pecking orders can sometimes lead to speculation, particularly when one driver achieves a string of high-profile results or has a longer tenure with the team. Norris, having been with McLaren since 2019 and recently signing a long-term extension, is often seen as the established figurehead alongside Piastri, who joined as a rookie in 2023.

The timing of this social media incident coincides with a crucial phase in the 2025 season, particularly for Piastri, who is currently navigating a competitive internal battle with Norris. Entering the Las Vegas weekend, Piastri found himself 24 points adrift of his teammate in the drivers’ championship standings. This points differential underscores the importance of every session and every race result in their quest for overall season position and internal team supremacy.

The qualifying session itself on the challenging Las Vegas street circuit proved to be a mixed bag for McLaren. While Lando Norris delivered a stellar performance to secure pole position – his third of the season and a testament to McLaren’s strong development curve – Piastri faced a more complicated session. The low-grip conditions characteristic of the street circuit presented a significant challenge for all competitors. Piastri’s final flying lap, which held the potential for a higher grid slot, was unfortunately compromised by a yellow flag incident further up the track. This left him starting from the third row in fifth position, behind Norris, Red Bull’s formidable Max Verstappen, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz (who corrected an earlier report’s misattribution to Williams), and Mercedes’ George Russell.

McLaren’s overall trajectory in recent seasons has been one of significant improvement, transitioning from a midfield contender to a consistent challenger for podiums and victories. Norris, in particular, has been instrumental in this resurgence, securing his maiden Grand Prix victory at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix and demonstrating remarkable consistency. Piastri, in his relatively short career, has also impressed immensely, showcasing raw speed and maturity beyond his years. His rookie season in 2023 yielded two podium finishes and a Sprint race victory, immediately establishing him as a future star. This head-to-head battle between two of F1’s most exciting young talents is a significant storyline of the current season, adding weight to any suggestions of internal team dynamics.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s race, Piastri remains pragmatic and cautiously optimistic about his prospects despite the grid disadvantage. The unique characteristics of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, known for its high-speed sections, tight corners, and unpredictable nature, often lead to dramatic and action-packed races. "It’s Las Vegas after all, so a lot could happen," Piastri remarked, acknowledging the circuit’s reputation for unpredictability. "You know we’ve seen pretty entertaining races here the last couple of years, a lot of action, so hopefully I can get myself involved on the right side of that action and make up some ground tomorrow."

The previous editions of the Las Vegas Grand Prix have indeed delivered spectacle, with safety car periods, overtakes, and strategic gambles often dictating outcomes. For Piastri, a strong start and adept race management will be crucial to overcoming his fifth-place grid slot and closing the gap to Norris, both on the track and in the championship standings. The deleted social media post, while a fleeting distraction, underscores the intense scrutiny and high stakes involved in Formula 1, where every digital footprint, intentional or otherwise, can become a point of public discussion. As the focus now shifts entirely to the racing action, Piastri will aim to let his performance on the asphalt do the talking.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.