Zak Brown's tense hug for Oscar Piastri after McLaren 'gave away' Qatar win
Updated . First published
As Oscar Piastri fielded the standard post-race questions following the Qatar Grand Prix, McLaren CEO Zak Brown suddenly swooped in, interrupting the moment to pull the driver into an unexpected embrace.
Piastri's reaction to the embrace appeared minimal, even as Brown leaned in to offer a quick word of encouragement right by his ear before the post-race interviews continued.
Asked about the whispered exchange, Piastri revealed that Brown had offered an apology.
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Oscar Piastri does not appear to fully reciprocate the embrace from Zak Brown. Viaplay
"I can't ask for more than that," he said.
Just one week after being stripped of their Las Vegas points, McLaren's woes continued in Qatar on Monday morning (AEDT).
A misjudged strategy call cost the team crucial points in the increasingly tight Formula 1 title battle, an error that Red Bull's Max Verstappen took full advantage of.
Verstappen went on to clinch his seventh win this season — and 70th overall — closing the gap on championship leader Lando Norris from 24 points at the start of the weekend to just 12.
McLaren maintains two title contenders, as Piastri sits in third place, trailing Verstappen by only four points entering the Abu Dhabi season finale.
Last weekend, the two McLaren drivers lost a combined 30 points after both were disqualified from the Las Vegas race, which Verstappen won.
Consequently, Norris needed a win in Qatar to clinch his first F1 title.
Norris finished fourth, while Piastri, who started from pole position, took second place.
McLaren opted to keep both drivers on track during an early safety car period, triggered after Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber was sent spinning off the track when it was clipped by Alpine driver Pierre Gasly. They were the only team to do so.
It was a decision that defined the race, enabling Verstappen to make a pit stop for a fresh set of tyres without losing significant track position.
"It's tough, we just have to have faith in the team to make the right decision," Norris told Sky Sports F1 post-race.
"Now, it's the wrong decision; we shouldn't have done it. We didn't do a good job today."
Lando Norris in pit lane during the Qatar Grand Prix. Formula 1 via Getty Images
Speaking afterwards, Brown admitted the team "clearly made a huge mistake" with its strategy by leaving Piastri and Norris out during the lap seven safety car.
Brown conceded that this single decision effectively threw away the potential for better results for both drivers.
"We clearly made a huge mistake. I think Oscar was absolutely impeccable all weekend. We gave his win away. I think it's the reality. There's no other way to look at it. And we gave Lando's podium away. Very frustrating," he said.
"We clearly made the wrong call. Nothing we can do about it now other than learn from it. This is two weekends in a row with some big learnings. But we need to come back in Abu Dhabi and fight hard.
"We're leading the championship. Gave away some points for Oscar. So we need to not make these mistakes. It's obviously all a bit raw at the moment."
Brown specified that the mistake was an "evaluation issue" — a judgment the team got wrong — rather than a failure of internal communication or an issue of playing fair between the drivers.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown celebrates with Sprint winner Oscar Piastri (left) and third-placed Lando Norris in parc fermé during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend. Getty
The embrace Brown shared with Piastri following the race was a public admission of fault.
It symbolised his personal responsibility and remorse for the team's strategic mistake, acknowledging that the error occurred under his leadership.
"I want to go see the drivers and give them a big hug and a big apology. Not that that will make him feel better. It's not going to make me feel better," Brown said.
Although Verstappen overtook Norris heading into Turn 1, Piastri converted his pole position into a clean start and comfortably controlled the race for the first seven laps.
Piastri also agreed that McLaren made an error by staying out following the safety car.
"Speechless. I don't know any words," he said.
A visibly dejected Oscar Piastri following the Qatar GP. Getty
"It is a little bit tough to swallow at the moment."
The Australian later admitted the decision was flawed, saying: "Clearly we didn't get it right."
He confirmed the team would hold discussions to pinpoint the exact source of the strategic error.
Capitalising on McLaren's choices, Verstappen secured the victory.
The elated Dutchman marked the moment by jumping triumphantly into the arms of his mechanics and engineers upon exiting his car.
“That’s a very lovely race. Great job, everyone,” Verstappen said over the team radio.
Heading into the final race, Norris leads the standings with 408 points, followed closely by Verstappen (396) and Piastri (392).
All three title contenders have secured seven race wins this season.
Verstappen is aiming for a fifth-straight F1 crown, while Norris and Piastri are both chasing their maiden title.
A crucial blunder by rookie Kimi Antonelli on the penultimate lap immediately sparked claims from Red Bull that the mistake was intentional interference in favour of Norris and McLaren.
Norris will become the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton secured his seventh title in 2020, provided he finishes at least third in Abu Dhabi.
