Opinion: Oscar Piastri’s maiden win at Hungary GP will be marred in controversy
22nd July 2024Oscar Piastri secured his maiden Formula 1 Grand Prix win, and his first for McLaren, at the Hungaroring but it has been overshadowed by controversial events.
Feature image credit: McLaren Racing
It should be a time of celebration for the world of Formula 1, like it was when McLaren’s Lando Norris secured the win in Miami and when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured his first-ever win at his home race, in Monaco.
However, what we are left with is discussing things that are not entirely focused on Piastri’s victory; Max Verstappen’s frustrations with Red Bull and Lando Norris’s reluctance to give up the lead of the race, etc.
Understandably, to play devil’s advocate, Piastri’s win was not the only talking point of the race as many different things took place across the 70-lap Grand Prix.
The focal point regarding Piastri’s victory will rotate around the team’s communication as it has portrayed Norris as a villain in McLaren’s first one-two finish since Monza 2021.
I cannot help but think the team communication, which was broadcast to the world, seems to resemble the same problems Formula 1 had back in 2021 when they introduced Team-to-FIA communications, to promote transparency.
Back then, it fuelled and divided fans as the teams lobbied and pushed favourable decisions from the then-Race Director Michael Masi before it was binned for 2022.
Its effect was similar on race day, at the Hungary GP, as it was clear over the team radio that Norris was reluctant to give up the lead of the race. This was, understandably, not helped on Norris’ part with comments like ‘you should’ve pitted him first then’ and that the lead matters to him.
Norris’ portrayal as a villain during and after the race is understandable – I will not deny that. The team wanted Norris to slow down, to protect the tyres and to allow Piastri back through, and their Miami GP winner wasn’t looking to play ball on that. Ultimately, Norris did play the team game but three laps before the end.
It’s hard not to consider the lasting damage Norris has created not just with his teammate, but with the team. McLaren were once a team who were in the mix for consistent race wins and championships, and the cracks are beginning to show as they re-emerge from their rusty championship-fighting shell.
Regardless of which side of the fence you stand on, you can see both arguments: Norris is second in the driver’s championship and all points matter whereas, for the team, Piastri had taken the lead on merit and only lost out as a result of the team’s strategy call.
At the end of the day, in this respect, whether or not Norris should or shouldn’t have given up the race lead is something people can debate about until the cows come home.
No one, unless you’re part of the team, will know what was previously arranged in the pre-race start briefings and between the two drivers and the team. Perhaps in a few years, those agreements will come to light but then this controversial moment may not matter – taken over by the latest trends and hot news topics at that point.
Nevertheless, this important moment for Piastri will be remembered by his family and friends as the day he won his first Grand Prix.
However, for fans and – potentially – the media, it will negatively be looked upon as a result of the team’s troubled inter-team communications. That, in itself, has taken away some of the shine of Piastri’s career milestone.
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Verstappen escapes punishment for Hamilton contact at Hungary GP
- Piastri takes maiden F1 win at Hungary GP after team-radio trouble
- Lando Norris heads McLaren front-row lockout at Hungary GP
- Lando Norris leads McLaren 1-2 finish in Hungary GP FP3
- Lando Norris wraps up FP2 with fastest time ahead of Verstappen
Give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with the latest news from the world of Motorsport! You can also support us on Patreon or on our website!
Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
