Still basking in the glory of its dual Formula One World Championship 2025 season, McLaren continues to find new ways to raise eyebrows and upset fans—especially those in the southern hemisphere.
Before the all-conquering ‘papaya’ team wound down for the Christmas-New Year break, it found time for a final photo that will surely do little to quell claims of favouritism against Australian driver Oscar Piastri.
“Our last team pic of the year,” McLaren posted triumphantly from its headquarters in Woking, Surrey, with hundreds of staffers crowded excitedly around their new F1 World Champion Lando Norris.
‘Let me guess, Oscar took the picture’
Only trouble was, as many observers quickly noticed, someone was missing from the photo who had a rather significant role in the constructors’ and drivers’ world championship battles for McLaren in 2025: Piastri.
“Think you’re missing a pretty important part of the team in this pic,” commented one follower.
“Team pic? I didn’t know you only had one driver…” replied another.
“Let me guess Oscar took the picture,” said another.
With Piastri contracted to McLaren until the end of 2028, the next few seasons promise to be interesting to say the least—‘papaya rules’ or not.
The 2026 Formula One season begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8 in Melbourne.
MORE: Piastri expects full equality with Norris for 2026 F1 season: ’It’s not like he’s become Superman’