The title race has just been turned upside down.
Rising star Oscar Piastri, once hailed as McLaren’s golden prodigy, now finds himself on the brink of collapse — and the latest move by the FIA has thrown his championship dreams into chaos.
After a brutal weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where a controversial penalty and a disappointing fifth-place finish left him 24 points behind teammate Lando Norris, new evidence has surfaced that could change the entire narrative of McLaren’s title fight.
According to insiders, FIA stewards re-examined telemetry and onboard data following several post-race complaints — and what they found allegedly confirms irregularities in Piastri’s driving line during the crucial overtaking incident that cost him the podium.
As a result, the FIA reportedly upheld his penalty and warned McLaren that further “technical reviews” could follow.
The fallout? Devastating.
While Norris celebrated pole position and victory, Piastri looked defeated. His once electric pace has vanished.
It’s now been five races since his last podium, and the Australian rookie sensation seems to be spiraling.
“There are things we need to sort out,” he admitted grimly — a confession that has sparked speculation of internal tension at McLaren. Sources close to the team say Piastri is battling both the car and his own confidence, struggling to adapt to the team’s mid-season setup changes that seem to favor Norris’s driving style.
Team boss Andrea Stella admitted the new low-grip conditions require “a very different driving technique,” and Norris has adapted instantly — leaving Piastri fighting ghosts on every corner.
But the technical woes run deeper than anyone realized.
In Brazil, McLaren was forced to raise Piastri’s ride height at the last minute to avoid disqualification due to a floor-wear inspection.
That change destroyed his grip and balance, turning his MCL38 into what one engineer called “a twitchy nightmare.”
When the decisive moment came — a desperate lunge for position — Piastri overstepped by millimeters. The FIA’s penalty crushed his chances, but now, with this new evidence reaffirming their decision, his frustration has reached boiling point.
Inside McLaren, whispers of division are growing louder. Some believe the team is quietly prioritizing Norris in their championship bid — a claim the team denies, but one that fans have eagerly seized on.
“He’s being left out to dry,” one paddock insider told F1 Confidential. “You can see it in his body language. He’s driving angry.”
With only three races left — Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi — Piastri’s hopes hang by a thread.
Every mistake now is fatal. Every lap could decide his fate.
Still, the young Aussie refuses to fold.
“I can win races. I can still win this championship,” he said after Brazil, determination burning in his eyes.
But Formula 1 is ruthless — and the FIA’s scrutiny isn’t going away anytime soon.
As McLaren scrambles to find answers and the FIA continues to “review additional data,” one thing is clear:
The next race in Las Vegas isn’t just another weekend — it’s Oscar Piastri’s moment of truth.
If he fails again, the dream dies.
If he fights back, it could become one of the greatest comebacks in F1 history.
Either way… everything changes now.
