Fans of Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri express outrage over the latest episode of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, claiming selective editing overlooks key tensions at McLaren during last year’s Drivers’ Championship battle.
McLaren’s High-Stakes Internal Rivalry
Episode three spotlights McLaren’s challenges in managing the fierce competition between Australian driver Oscar Piastri and teammate Lando Norris. The duo vied intensely for the 2025 title, with Norris ultimately securing victory. Piastri started with a 34-point lead but ended third, trailing Norris by 16 points and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The episode portrays Norris as struggling early on, particularly after qualifying sixth at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April. “I feel like I’ve just never driven an F1 car before. I’m struggling a lot, I don’t know why,” Norris told reporters. “I need to try and find some answers.” It then highlights his resilience, culminating in the championship win.
Controversial Moments and Omissions
A notable clip features McLaren CEO Zak Brown commenting during Bahrain: “I think Oscar is looking strong. I’m not allowed to put money on it, but if I did, I’d have it on Oscar.” Contrastingly, Brown celebrates exuberantly when Norris claims pole at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Piastri appears frustrated in footage from the Italian Grand Prix, where a race engineer instructs him to yield position to Norris. At the Singapore Grand Prix start, Norris makes contact with Piastri but faces no penalty. Cameras also miss McLaren’s “difficult conversations” with Piastri.
Supporters argue the narrative sidelines speculation that Piastri received secondary treatment at the team, fueling accusations of favoritism toward Norris.
Upcoming Season Spotlight
The 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off on March 8 with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, Piastri’s home track.
