A leaked radio message has turned the Formula 1 world upside down, with McLaren in the eye of the storm. During a recent race, the team would have ordered Oscar Piastri to block Max Verstappen via the on -board radio, so that Lando Norris had a better chance to win. This tactic, who was soon labeled as controversial by fans and analysts, led to a wave of indignation on social media and in the paddock. The question that kept everyone: does McLaren Piastri use as a “human shield” to increase Norris “title chances?

The incident took place during a crucial phase of the 2025 season, in which McLaren predominates in both the driver and the constructors’ championship. Piastri, currently in the lead in the championship with a small lead over Norris, is said to have received the instruction to stop Verstappen, the reigning world champion. This would give Norris, who was in a better position at that time, the chance to build a lead. Although team orders in Formula 1 are not unusual, this specific instruction was seen as an unusually aggressive move, especially since Piastri itself is a serious title candidate.

The public response was immediately and fierce. On social media, including X, fans expressed their frustration about what they saw as unfair treatment of Piastri. A much shared post was: “McLaren cannot force Piaastri to sacrifice his own opportunities for Norris. This is not a team sport, this is manipulation.” Some fans praised Piastrri’s professionalism, while others accused McLaren of favoring Norris, possibly because of his longer state of service with the team and his British background.

Max Verstappen, never shy for a strong opinion, responded to the incident with a powerful statement that shocked the paddock: “They sacrifice Piastri for Norris.” These seven words, pronounced with his characteristic directness, put their finger on the sore spot and strengthened the discussion about McLarens strategy. Verstappen, who has difficulty keeping up with the dominant McLarens this season, grabbed the opportunity to emphasize the dynamics within the competing team, which continued the speculation about internal tensions at McLaren.

McLaren team boss Zak Brown tried to appease the situation by emphasizing that both drivers are being treated equally. “We have two number one drivers,” he said in a press conference. “Our focus is on winning both championships, and we will continue to race in an honest way.” However, these words could not fully convince the critics, especially because earlier incidents, such as the controversial team orders in the Hungarian Grand Prix of 2024, already raised questions about McLarens approach.

With ten races to go in the 2025 season, the battle between Piastri, Norris and Verstappen promises to only become more intense. The leaked radio fragment has not only fueled the rivalry on the track, but also the discussion about ethics and team dynamics in Formula 1. While McLaren is trying to keep peace, the question remains: will this controversy disrupt the harmony between their drivers, or will the team come from this storm stronger?