McLaren 'Respond' After Being Accused of Not Helping Oscar Piastri's Family

During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, McLaren were accused of not helping Oscar Piastri's family.

On Sunday, the 2025 Formula 1 season came to a close with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Heading into the weekend, Piastri, along with McLaren teammate Lando Norris and Red Bull star Max Verstappen, were fighting for the world championship.

In the end, Norris came out on top, finishing two points ahead of Verstappen, with Piastri in third place.

After the race, Piastri was seen greeting his sisters - Edie, Hattie and Mae.

Meanwhile, Piastri's mum, Nicole and her partner Tim were also spotted at the race.

However, according to F1 photographer Kym Illman, Piastri's family members were not scheduled to be in Abu Dhabi.

It was claimed that the Australian changed his mind during the week, but had already allocated his two paddock passes.

Furthermore, it was said that McLaren were unable to help him acquire another five passes after running out.

In the end, it was claimed that the FIA managed to help Piastri source five extra paddock passes.

How does this even happen...2 passes??? Mclaren not having enough? F1 not helping? For a literal contender for the championship that feels silly pic.twitter.com/IGZcgI0qd1

— rachel (@frmtheprecipice) December 8, 2025

This resulted in McLaren being criticised over their handling of the situation, with some fans accusing the team of not doing more to help their driver.

Taking to social media on Wednesday, Planet F1 editor Mat Coch branded the rumours as 'utter nonsense', stating the team 'pulled strings' to get last-minute passes.

He wrote on X: "Have seen claims Piastri's family couldn't get passes to AD and McLaren wouldn't help. Heard this over the weekend and chased it up. Utter nonsense. Was a late decision to attend so strings were pulled for last minute passes. Common practice for last minute decisions.

"I spoke to 5 different people about this one. It's a half truth at best because McLaren didn't have any passes left, so it had to call in favours, which it did."