A seemingly innocent question in the post-race cooldown room at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has ignited a fiery conspiracy theory among Formula 1 fans, suggesting McLaren's Oscar Piastri may have wanted Red Bull's Max Verstappen to win the world championship over his own teammate, Lando Norris.
The Podium Room Exchange That Set Tongues Wagging
The dramatic season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit saw Lando Norris secure his maiden drivers' title and McLaren's first since 2008, finishing third in the race. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, who ended the year third in the championship overall, had overtaken Norris on the opening lap in a bold move. Despite brilliant drives from both Piastri and race-winner Verstappen, Norris's podium finish was enough to clinch the trophy by a mere two points.
After the race, as Piastri and Verstappen chatted in the cooldown room, the Australian made a remark that immediately captured attention. Referring to the current generation of ground-effect cars, which will be replaced in 2026, Piastri said, "At least we don't have to drive them again." After Verstappen replied, "Let's see what we get next year," Piastri paused before asking a loaded question: "Didn't want to back everyone up?"
The room fell into a sudden silence, with Verstappen offering no reply and Piastri left with an awkward smile. This query referenced pre-race speculation that Verstappen might employ a tactical slowdown during the race, bunching up the field behind him. Such a move could have allowed rivals like Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to attack and potentially pass Norris, a scenario that would have handed the title to Verstappen given the tiny points margin.
Fan Reaction and the 'Teammate Mask' Theory
Fans on social media platform X were quick to dissect the exchange, with many interpreting Piastri's body language and words as evidence he was rooting against Norris. One fan wrote, "It’s funny cause you can tell clearly by how Oscar is acting... that he was 100% rooting for Max to win it all." Another claimed, "Oscar wanted Max to win more than Max wanted."
The theory gained traction, with supporters suggesting Piastri's question was one of disappointment, not curiosity. A particularly pointed comment read: "Oscar asking this proves one thing: He wanted blood... He wanted Max to serve Lando up on a platter so he could finish the job. The 'Teammate' mask is fully off."
This tactic of backing up the field is not without precedent in F1. In the 2016 finale, Lewis Hamilton famously slowed his Mercedes in an attempt to drop teammate Nico Rosberg into the clutches of pursuing cars, needing Rosberg to finish off the podium to win the title himself. The strategy ultimately failed, and Rosberg secured the championship.
Piastri Reflects on a Season of Highs and Lessons
Despite the late-season speculation about team bias and the dramatic finale, Oscar Piastri is choosing to focus on the positives of a career-best year, which included seven race victories. "I've learned plenty of things along the way this season," the Aussie driver reflected. "When things have been good this year, I've felt unstoppable at points - and to even be able to get to that point is a pretty cool feeling."
While the champagne flowed on the podium for the new champion Norris, the whispered question in the cooldown room has ensured that the narrative of team dynamics and unspoken rivalries will continue to be a major talking point long after the chequered flag fell in Abu Dhabi.
