McLaren’s Zak Brown Delivers Stinging Roast to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at Festive Bash
In a jaw-dropping display of bravado, McLaren CEO Zak Brown unleashed a barrage of playful yet pointed jabs aimed at his star drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, at a recent festive gathering. As the 2025 Formula 1 season looms, tensions are high at McLaren, not only due to the fierce competition between Norris and Piastri for the championship but also because of the looming shadow of Max Verstappen, who has been a dominant force in the sport.
This season ended on a high note for Norris, who clinched his inaugural drivers’ title in a nail-biting finale in Abu Dhabi, finishing just two points ahead of Verstappen, while his teammate Piastri secured an impressive third place in the standings. Following this exhilarating conclusion, both drivers have been on a celebratory spree, basking in the limelight of their achievements, including a grand celebration at McLaren’s Woking headquarters and the prestigious FIA prize-giving ceremony held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
At the heart of the festivities, Brown took center stage during the team’s lavish Christmas party, where his sharp wit and no-holds-barred humor left the audience in stitches. In a moment that encapsulated the spirit of the evening, Brown quipped, “We took big risks on both of you. Don’t pretend you had better options. You [Piastri] had f*g Alpine, and you [Norris] had to go faster than Stoffel Vandoorne.” The crowd erupted in laughter, reveling in the CEO’s audacity as both drivers took the roasting in stride—though Norris was seen clutching his championship trophy a tad too tightly, perhaps reflecting the pressure that comes with newfound glory.
The video snippets of Brown’s comedic roast quickly made waves across social media, igniting a firestorm of reactions from fans. While Piastri and Norris appeared amused by the jibes, a segment of the fanbase expressed outrage over Brown’s comments, questioning the appropriateness of his remarks. Piastri’s journey to McLaren has been anything but smooth; his tumultuous departure from Alpine was marked by controversy, as the team prematurely announced his signing without his consent, prompting him to publicly deny any allegiance to them.
As Piastri looks back on the dismal tenth-place finish of Alpine in the 2025 constructors’ standings, it’s hard not to wonder if he feels a sense of vindication for choosing to join McLaren instead. Now, with back-to-back world champions at the helm, Piastri is undoubtedly glad he placed his trust in a team that believes in his potential and ambition.
With the 2025 season promising to be a grueling yet thrilling battle, the pressure is on for both Norris and Piastri as they navigate their rivalry and the formidable challenge posed by Verstappen. And with Zak Brown at the wheel, fans can expect more fireworks both on and off the track as McLaren aims to reclaim its former glory in Formula 1.









