Oscar Piastri was notably absent from McLaren’s celebrations at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix after the team clinched the constructors’ championship. The Australian driver’s absence stood out despite his strong performance, which helped secure the title for McLaren.
McLaren Clinches Constructors’ Crown with Strong Finishes
With Lando Norris finishing third and Oscar Piastri coming in fourth, McLaren sealed the 2025 constructors’ championship in Singapore, highlighting their dominance over rivals this season. This achievement secured the trophy with six races remaining, marking McLaren’s 10th constructors’ championship overall. It is also the first time since their remarkable streak of four consecutive titles from 1988 to 1991, when Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost teamed up, that McLaren has won back-to-back championships.
The current pairing of Norris and Piastri echoes the famous Senna-Prost era rivalry, though in a less intense way. However, the championship fight remains competitive, with Norris closing the points gap to 22 after the Singapore race, setting up an intriguing finish to the season.
Intense On-Track Battle Causes Tension Within Team
The Singapore Grand Prix was marked by controversy when Norris executed an aggressive overtake on Piastri early in the race to claim third place. Piastri expressed frustration over the radio immediately afterward, highlighting the tension this maneuver created between the teammates.
“If he has to avoid another car by crashing into his team-mate, then that’s a pretty **** job of avoiding.”
– Oscar Piastri, Driver
Reasons Behind Piastri’s Absence from Podium Celebrations
Despite the team’s victory, Piastri did not join the podium celebrations where Norris, team boss Zak Brown, and sporting director Andrea Stella sprayed champagne with crew members dressed in McLaren’s signature papaya colors. Fans quickly noticed this absence, with one commenting on social media:
“The team celebrating the championship without their championship leader is crazy.”
– Anonymous fan
The explanation for Piastri’s absence was straightforward: he was occupied with media commitments following the race. The driver later joined the team for the proper celebrations in the garage and pit lane, returning with a smile and warmly greeting colleagues. Photographers captured moments of Piastri standing alongside Norris, signaling a public appearance of unity after the race weekend.
Emerging Rivalry Changes Team Dynamics as Season Progresses
Although Piastri appeared cheerful at the end of the Singapore GP weekend, it is clear that the dynamic between the two McLaren title contenders has shifted. Norris’ aggressive move set a new tone for their rivalry, breaking away from the previously cooperative ‘papaya rules’ that had guided their interactions.
With six races left to run in the season, it seems unlikely that Piastri will accept passive treatment similar to what occurred at Monza. The Singapore incident is shaping up to redefine how the duo approaches their team competition moving forward, adding an unpredictable element to the championship fight.
Broader Implications for McLaren and Formula 1
McLaren’s achievement of back-to-back constructors’ titles after a long gap underscores their resurgence as a dominant force in Formula 1. However, the internal tension between Norris and Piastri highlights the challenges teams face balancing fierce competition with teamwork. How McLaren manages this rivalry will likely influence their success in the closing rounds of the 2025 season.
The Singapore events have already attracted attention beyond the paddock, with other headline stories involving major drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and FIA’s recent rule changes, demonstrating the sport’s ongoing drama on and off the track.
the team celebrating the championship WITHOUT their championship leader is crazy.pic.twitter.com/2hd6pxVwoR
— juniper (@PLANETJUNl) October 5, 2025
A happy welcome 😆#McLaren pic.twitter.com/0s4T6wnlxD
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) October 5, 2025
