McLaren CEO Zak Brown has explained why Oscar Piastri was instructed to “hold position” when closing in on Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix. After getting by Max Verstappen on Lap 17, Piastri reeled Norris in with a series of fastest laps.

McLaren secured their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 a year ago, and the season ended with either Norris or Piastri on the top step of the podium in four of the fin

Whilst Lando Norris secured the first win of the year, the Australian Grand Prix will be remembered for McLaren's demand for Oscar Piastri to 'hold his position' against his team-mate, contrasting with Zak Brown's message that his drivers are free to race.

Oscar Piastri is quietly confident he can become the first Aussie driver to win the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. He's aiming for it this weekend.

McLaren locked out the front row in Melbourne with Lando Norris taking pole position for the Australian Grand Prix while Oscar Piastri was second quickest in qualifying

Oscar Piastri's hopes of an Australian Grand Prix victory were dashed after a skid on lap 44, despite a strong start. He finished ninth in a race filled with crashes. Piastri had a chance to break the 'home driver curse,

McLaren believe Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri can co-exist without problems as the team goes into the new season as favourites.

After helping McLaren to a constructor's championship in 2024, Oscar Piastri was rewarded with a multi-year contract worth nearly $26 million per year, according to Racing News 365. The new deal replaces Piastri's contract that ran through 2026 and was set to pay him over $7 million per season.