Australian Formula One legend Alan Jones has poured cold water on the popular conspiracy theory that McLaren is favouring Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri, calling it “bulls***”.

Piastri’s form slump since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September and the application McLaren’s controversial ‘papaya rules’ — most notably at Monza where the Australian gave back a position to his teammates after a slow pit stop — have driven the theory.

Piastri now trails the Brit by 24 points in the drivers championship with three races left in the season, and the 1980 world champion believes giving up the lead is entirely the 24-year-old’s doing.

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“I think it’s the greatest load of nonsense of all time,” Jones told ABC’s Summer Grandstand podcast. “Every single season we come across this bulls**t. Every time.

“It’s either Mark Webber against [Sebastian] Vettel or it’s somebody [else]. It’s always at them ‘oh he’s got a better car than me’ or ‘he’s getting preferential treatment’, it’s absolute crap.

“These teams don’t spend absolute fortunes travelling halfway around the world to stymie one car or give preference to the other.

“I can assure you both these cars are getting the same sort of treatment. I know Zak Brown very well, he’s a good racer, and he’d be giving both these blokes equal chances.”

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Jones pinned the blame on the spread of the favouritism theory to fans who were simply looking for something to complain about, many of whom, he said do not have a good understanding of F1.

“I think that if it was tennis, they’d be saying they’re giving the bloke the wrong racket or something,” Jones continued. “It’s just rubbish.

“Then you get all the rare experts coming out of the woodwork, with their opinions on this, that and the other thing. Half of them wouldn’t know one end of a car from another but they’re free to give their advice whether it’s needed or not. It’s just nonsense.”

“The blame is not all on Oscar!” | 00:36

BROWN UNLOADS ON RED BULL

As well as dealing with the constant speculation surrounding his team, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has locked horns with fierce rivals Red Bull over the years.

The former race car driver has led McLaren to back-to-back constructors championships, all the while trying to see off the threat of Max Verstappen and former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

Over the years, Brown has famously clashed with both, and in an interview withThe Telegraph, he claimed that Red Bull race dirty.

“I don’t want to disparage Max…. He’s a four-time world champion,” Brown said.

“He can be a bruiser, too aggressive on track. His arrogance comes out,” he added.

“If you look at some of the greatest champions in Formula One, they’ve had some arrogance about them. They get their elbows out.”

Asked if Verstappen’s elbow were too far out, Brown replied: “Max has crossed the line on track at times.

“In Brazil against Lewis Hamilton over time. A handful of his passes on Lewis were overly aggressive.”

As for Horner, Brown said the sport’s booming popularity off the back of Netflix series Drive to Survive changed their relationship drastically.

“I’ve known Christian for 30-plus years. We used to get on. His results are amazing. So, hats off. But he’s changed. I think the Drive to Survive fame, the money, the glory, all got a bit much,” Brown said.

Asked if Horner played fairly, he said: “At times, no. Back when I was racing, there were drivers who raced hard and squeezed competitors’ cars two wheels off the track. That’s OK. But other drivers squeeze you four wheels off the track. That’s not OK. I’m a two-wheels-off guy. Christian is a four-wheels-off guy.”

Late last year, Horner accused McLaren of putting water in their tyres to aid cooling during races, which would breach F1 rules.

The FIA found no evidence of such claims from their investigation.

“He made allegations towards our team. I can’t imagine he believed them. It was simply intended to disrupt us,” Brown said. “Regardless of legality, everyone in the sport knows you wouldn’t do that for technical reasons,” he added.

It is clear that there is a clash of egos between the pair with Brown saying that he uses it properly, while Horner’s causes problems.

“I have a huge ego. Make no mistake,” Brown said. “Ego is good. Arrogance is terrible.

“For me, ego is all about pride. It protects my brand and the team’s performance. Arrogance makes you make mistakes.”

AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 22: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown attend the Team Principals Press Conference prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 22, 2022 in Austin, Texas. Clive Mason/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

PIASTRI GETS GONG FOR TITLE-CHALLENGING SEASON

Oscar Piastri has been awarded the prestigious Don Award at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame gala on Monday night in recognition of his outstanding Formula 1 season in pursuit of the world championship.

The Don Award, named after cricketing legend Donald Bradman, honours an Australian athlete whose achievements over the last 12 months have most inspired the nation.

Piastri is in just his third season in Formula 1 but spent 15 rounds at the top of the championships standings courtesy of his seven grand prix victories so far this year.

The Melburnian is the 15th Australian to compete at motorsport’s top level but has already equalled Mark Webber’s career tally of nine victories, putting him behind only Jack Brabham (14 wins) and Alan Jones (12 wins), Australia’s only world champions.

His successes have made him a household name and earnt him a permanent place in the domestic sporting conversation.

“Winning an award in the name of Sir Donald Bradman is a massive privilege,” Piastri said.

“Everyone in Australia knows exactly what he represented and the legacy he has in Australian sport, so it’s not lost on me how major this award is.

“It’s always an amazing feeling to represent our country on the world stage and do well for ourselves.

“Thank you to everyone that waves the flag and cheers me on at all the grand prix races around the world. To be a recipient of the Don Award is a great honour, and I look forward to representing our country for many years to come.”

Piastri would be Australia’s first title winner in 45 years, dating back to Jones’s 1980 triumph, if he were to beat teammate Lando Norris to the crown this season. He currently trails by 24 points with three rounds remaining.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame selection committee chair Bruce McAvaney said Piastri’s success was bridging the gap between Australia and the international motorsport landscape.

“Every year we experience remarkable sporting moments and stories, and the most compelling in 2025 has been 24-year-old Oscar Piastri,” he said. “His rise across the past 12 months to become one of the most formidable and exciting drivers in F1 is nothing short of outstanding.

“It’s an elite and foreign world to most of us, but we feel linked to this young man’s challenges and triumphs lived out in a spotlight that very few sports attract.

“His superb skill and sportsmanship are matched with a rare maturity and poise in an adrenaline-fuelled arena.”