Zak Brown Mocks Alpine in Blunt Message to Piastri at McLaren Celebration
At a McLaren season celebration, CEO Zak Brown joked with Oscar Piastri, telling him not to pretend he had better options before joining the team, as he "had Alpine." The remark highlights Piastri's successful move from the struggling French squad to the now championship-winning McLaren outfit.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown took a direct jab at the Alpine F1 team during a post-season celebration, humorously reminding Oscar Piastri of his career options before joining the Woking-based squad. The comment came as Brown addressed both his drivers, Lando Norris and Piastri, reflecting on the team's successful championship-winning season.
Why it matters:
Brown's candid remark underscores the dramatic shift in fortunes for both Piastri and the two teams involved. It highlights a pivotal career decision that saw a young driver move from a struggling midfield outfit to a title-winning constructor, a move that has been vindicated by the results on track. The comment also reflects the intense competition and occasional public ribbing between F1 teams.
The details:
- During a team event, Brown told his drivers, "We took big risks with both of you." Turning specifically to Piastri, he added, "And don't pretend you had better options, you had f****** Alpine!" which was met with laughter from the room.
- Piastri was formerly part of the Alpine junior program and served as their reserve driver before his controversial and highly publicized move to McLaren for the 2023 season.
- The 2024 season concluded with McLaren's Lando Norris winning the Drivers' Championship and Piastri securing third in the standings, while Alpine finished last in the Constructors' Championship.
- Brown's celebratory tone was also evident over team radio after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he enthusiastically thanked Piastri, saying, "What a season... You're a star. Seven wins. We love ya. We'll do it again next year."
The big picture:
The exchange serves as a stark reminder of how quickly trajectories can change in Formula 1. McLaren's calculated risk in signing Piastri has paid immense dividends, transforming the team into a consistent front-runner and championship winner. In contrast, Alpine has endured a difficult period, culminating in a last-place finish this season as they shifted development focus early. Piastri's career path now stands as one of the most successful driver switches in recent F1 history.