F1 team accused of ‘bullying’ McLaren s…..read more
McLaren team principal Zak Brown has spoken out against what he described as “bullying” behavior from a rival Formula 1 team directed at his driver, Oscar Piastri. Brown’s comments come as Piastri enjoys a strong start to the 2025 F1 season, with the young Australian driver having already claimed four victories in the opening six races. His performances have firmly established him as a serious contender for this year’s World Drivers’ Championship and a key figure in McLaren’s early dominance in the Constructors’ standings.
While Piastri has quickly become one of McLaren’s biggest assets, his journey to the team was not without controversy. The talented driver began his career under the guidance of the Alpine Academy, a development program designed to nurture young talent and prepare them for the pinnacle of motorsport. Despite being seen as a future star for Alpine, the relationship between Piastri and the team deteriorated, leading to a highly publicized and contentious departure at the end of the 2023 season.
Zak Brown has now revealed that he believes Alpine’s conduct during the transition period was inappropriate and bordering on aggressive. He suggested that their attempts to hold on to Piastri and the pressure applied during contractual disputes crossed the line into bullying territory. Although he did not elaborate on specific incidents or name individuals within Alpine, Brown’s remarks reignite the controversy that surrounded Piastri’s switch from Alpine to McLaren—a saga that drew widespread attention across the F1 community when it unfolded.
The dispute over Piastri’s services became one of the most talked-about off-track dramas in recent F1 history, particularly when Alpine publicly announced him as their driver for the 2023 season, only for Piastri to deny the agreement on social media. The issue was eventually resolved in McLaren’s favor through a hearing by the Contract Recognition Board (CRB), which ruled that McLaren had a valid contract with the young Australian.
Since joining McLaren, Piastri has gone from strength to strength. His impressive rookie season laid a strong foundation, and his current form in 2025 is turning heads throughout the paddock. Many now see him as a potential future world champion, and his rapid development has played a significant role in elevating McLaren to a leading position in the sport.
Brown’s latest comments serve as both a defense of his driver and a reminder of the turbulent circumstances under which Piastri joined the team. While the rivalry between teams like McLaren and Alpine continues to play out on the track, it’s clear that tensions off the track also remain, especially when it comes to young driver development and the politics surrounding high-profile transfers.
