Zak Brown called out over Oscar Piastri radio message as Nico Rosberg left unimpressed | F1 | Sport

Nico Rosberg was unimpressed with Zak Brown’s conduct over the radio when speaking to Oscar Piastri after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Australian finished second on the road and third in the World Championship, while team-mate Lando Norris claimed F1’s ultimate prize.

The result marked the end of a difficult season for Piastri that promised so much but delivered only heartbreak. After the Dutch Grand Prix in late August, he was 104 points ahead of Max Verstappen and 34 clear of his McLaren team-mate, but he ended the year behind both of them.

However, while Piastri was processing his heartbreak in a radio conversation with race engineer Tom Stallard, Brown came over the radio to speak to his driver. Fresh from celebrating Norris’ crowning moment, there was more than a hint of excitement in his voice.

“What a season, what a season,” Brown beamed. “You’re a star. Seven wins. We love ya. We’ll do it again next year. Thank you, Oscar, for everything you’ve done. What a year.” The McLaren Racing CEO went on to add: “Oscar, very proud of you. Awesome. What a team player. We go again next year. See you on the podium.”

Brown’s tone attracted the attention of 2016 F1 world champion Rosberg, who was breaking down the post-race reaction for Sky Sports F1. “I mean, that’s his most horrible moment probably in a long, long time in his racing career,” he assessed.

“Maybe Zak could have had a little more empathy there rather than celebrating, being like, ‘I’m so sorry, Lando [sic, Oscar], next year is your year’, or something like that. But it’s difficult for Zak because, of course, he’s so ecstatic at the same time, so I understand.”

Piastri’s challenge in 2025 didn’t go unnoticed by Norris, and the newly-crowned world champion paid tribute to his team-mate in his post-race interviews, citing the Australian as a key reason for his development throughout the season.

Asked about the battle with the Bristol-born driver, Piastri said: “It has been a fun challenge. Obviously, at certain points, maybe it doesn’t feel that fun, but I think it has been a really enjoyable season for both of us, probably, and I’m saying that as the person who’s not champion.

“I’ve learnt plenty of things along the way. Even the last three years, I’ve learnt things every weekend from what Lando does, and it’s nice to know that it goes both ways. There are plenty of years to come of intense weekends and tight battles, but ultimately, I think that has made both of us better drivers and, in some ways, contributed to the success both of us have had this year.”