McLaren CEO Zak Brown has explained why Oscar Piastri was instructed to “hold position” when closing in on Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix. After getting by Max Verstappen on Lap 17, Piastri reeled Norris in with a series of fastest laps.

However, when rain arrived at the track on lap 44, both McLaren cars ran wide in the approach to the penultimate corner. Norris gathered it up and retained the lead, but Piastri was forced to take a wider angle into the corner after going deeper into the run-off.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was “proud” of his Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix performance despite an “unbelievable” late off ruining his

Oscar Piastri placed the blame on himself after a dramatic spin into the grass at the F1 Australian Grand Prix. His McLaren teammate Lando Norris won the 2025 season-opener in Melbourne. McLaren might have completed a one-two finish, justifying the pre-race hype around their pace, until Piastri’s nightmare moment on his home turf.

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri won the first and second starting positions for Sunday's F1 2025 Australian Grand Prix. The post F1 Australian Grand Prix starting grid: Norris, Piastri,

Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri slid onto the grass in an eventful F1 race in Melbourne. Lewis Hamilton finished 10th in Ferrari debut.

Oscar Piastri recovers after sliding off the track at his home race in Melbourne.

Whilst Lando Norris secured the first win of the year, the Australian Grand Prix will be remembered for McLaren's demand for Oscar Piastri to 'hold his position' against his team-mate, contrasting with Zak Brown's message that his drivers are free to race.