P1racenews AI automatic summary:
2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg was not happy with McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s radio message to Oscar Piastri following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, F1 champion Nico Rosberg criticized McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s enthusiastic radio message to driver Oscar Piastri, who finished third in the season standings. Despite leading for a large part of the season, Piastri was overtaken by Max Verstappen, with Lando Norris clinching the championship.
Piastri congratulated Norris’ family post-race, but Rosberg felt Brown’s celebratory message lacked empathy. Brown praised Piastri via team radio, calling him a star and expressing pride, though Rosberg believed a more reassuring tone would have been appropriate.
Piastri, sitting with Verstappen in the cooldown room, appeared disappointed but shared light moments. He acknowledged his strong performance in Abu Dhabi but lamented his championship lead loss to Verstappen, who surged ahead in the latter part of the season. Despite finishing ahead of Norris, Piastri couldn’t challenge Verstappen for the win.
Looking ahead, Piastri aims to bounce back in the next season and challenge reigning champions while facing new competition on the grid.
