What unfolded after the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may haunt McLaren for years.
In a dramatic escalation, Mark Webber, manager of Oscar Piastri, has accused McLaren of deliberately undermining Piastriâs racesânot once, but repeatedlyâalleging a calculated effort to secure Lando Norrisâs championship outcome. The claims have sent shockwaves through Formula 1, putting McLarenâs internal integrity under a brutal spotlight.
â ïž These are allegations, not proven factsâbut the fallout is very real.
đ± âTHIS WASNâT A MISTAKEâ â THE ACCUSATION
Webberâs remarks, delivered with unmistakable fury, suggest McLarenâs strategy calls in Qatar and Abu Dhabi were not errors, but intentional decisions that disadvantaged Piastri at critical moments.
According to Webber:
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Strategy choices consistently favored Norris
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Piastriâs race was systematically compromised
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The pattern was too consistent to ignore
The implication? Internal prioritization crossed into sabotage.
đ§ QATAR: THE MOMENT EVERYTHING TURNED
In Qatar, Piastri was perfectly positioned when a safety car created a golden pit window. Instead of boxing him, McLaren allegedly left him on worn tyres, costing him track position and momentum.
Moments later:
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Norris received the optimal strategy
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Piastriâs race unraveled
To critics, this looked like coincidence.
To Webber, it looked like intent.
đ ABU DHABI: CONFIRMATION OR COINCIDENCE?
Abu Dhabi only intensified suspicions.
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Piastri released into traffic after poorly timed stops
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Norris cleared air, green light to push
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Divergent race management at decisive phases
The optics were devastating. Fans and analysts alike began asking the question McLaren hoped to avoid:
đ Why do the margins always fall the same way?
đŁ FERRARI WHISPERS & DRIVER MARKET CHAOS
Webberâs comments didnât stop at criticism. He openly hinted at Ferrari, igniting rumors of a potential exit that could detonate the driver market.
If Piastri leaves:
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McLarenâs long-term project collapses
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Ferrari gains a generational talent
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A domino effect threatens seats across the grid
Leclerc. Hamilton. Norris.
No one is untouched by the shockwaves.
đ„ McLAREN UNDER SIEGE
Once hailed as a model of harmony, McLaren now faces:
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A credibility crisis
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Accusations of favoritism
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A fractured internal culture exposed to the world
Fans are asking whether championship pressure corrupted decision-makingâand whether transparency gave way to control.
âł WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
McLaren insists there was no sabotage.
Webber insists the data tells a different story.
Between them lies a team at a crossroads.
Will McLaren:
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Rebuild trust and prove neutrality?
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Or watch a future champion walk away?
đ„ ONE TEAM. TWO DRIVERS. ONE EXPLOSIVE ACCUSATION.
The Abu Dhabi race may be overâbut the real battle has just begun.