McLaren Under Fire After Piastri-Norris Call and Landmark Sponsorship Shake-Up

McLaren has become the centre of global Formula 1 debate following controversial decisions at the Italian Grand Prix and a bold sponsorship announcement.

During Sunday’s race at Monza, the team ordered Oscar Piastri to hand second place back to Lando Norris, a move that drew accusations of favoritism and provoked boos from fans. Critics argue the decision undermines sporting fairness, while rivals questioned whether McLaren’s “team-first” approach gives one driver an unfair edge.

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Adding to the uproar, McLaren confirmed a landmark rebrand, with Mastercard securing title sponsorship. From 2026, the team will officially compete as the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, marking one of the most high-profile commercial shifts in recent F1 history.

Team principal Andrea Stella defended both the race call and the rebrand, insisting they reflect McLaren’s commitment to unity, long-term stability, and competitiveness in the sport.

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