Angry F1 fans can’t believe ‘ridiculous’ Oscar Piastri decision McLaren made at the Australian Grand Prix

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McLaren put down a marker during the Australian Grand Prix and appear to be the Formula 1 team to beat this season.

Lando Norris has added another win to his growing tally after holding off Max Verstappen during the final few laps.

McLaren team principal Zak Brown might be slightly frustrated that his outfit didn’t complete a one-two finish.

However, Oscar Piastri made one crucial error that cost him at least a podium finish as the changeable weather caught him and the rest of the field off guard.

He followed his teammate off the track on the approach to the penultimate corner and while Norris held onto the car and immediately ducked into the pits, Piastri got stranded on the grass.

Plenty of Formula 1 fans were already angry with McLaren after they made the call for Piastri not to attack Norris when he was closing in on his teammate.

The Australian Grand Prix has never had a home winner and that streak continued after the 23-year-old was told to briefly hold off on trying to take the lead.

Oscar Piastri team orders leave F1 fans fuming with McLaren as Lando Norris wins the Australian Grand Prix

Piastri lost out to Max Verstappen through the opening corners and had to be patient to overtake the four-time world champion.

However, when Verstappen went wide at turn 11, that allowed Piastri to sneak past and he quickly caught his teammate.

At one point, Piastri had DRS as he had closed within a second of Norris but he received the message from his engineer: “Oscar we should hold position,” to which Piastri simply replied: “I’m faster but OK.”

Just a few laps later, Piastri was told he was then ‘free’ to race Norris, but he had lost several tenths to his teammate and suddenly the conditions changed.

Formula 1 fans who woke up at the crack of dawn in Europe to watch the race weren’t impressed with the lack of action between the leading drivers.

One fan said, “Team orders in race 1? cmon man – take a leaf outta the Bahrain 2014 book,” while another commented, “Why on earth should PIA hold position?! Let ‘em race!”

That sentiment was shared by two more spectators who said: “Let the games begin,” and, “Not a fan of this at all.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

Many felt sorry for Piastri being denied the chance to race for the lead in Melbourne in front of his fans, with one comment stating, “It is home race!! This is a dream scenario – let them race!”

“This is ridiculous that too in a first race of [the] season, both should race,” another fan stated, however, one spectator had a more circumspect view and explained, “Tough call for Oscar, but smart strategy by McLaren to back Lando for the championship! Piastri’s speed is unreal, though—can’t wait to see how this plays out on track.”

Marc Priestley explains McLaren’s position on Oscar Piastri team radio

Former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley was commentating on the race for BBC Sport and explained: “It’s very sensible from a team perspective but if you are Oscar Piastri this is your opportunity when he’s got more pace than his team-mate Lando Norris.

At other points in the race when they’ve got new tyres on or it’s different conditions, it might be Norris who ends up finding form.”

Many fans were also comparing the instructions from McLaren to Piastri to the situation at the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

Mercedes were the dominant force that year and Lewis Hamilton went on to win the championship ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg.

However, Rosberg was much faster than his teammate at one point during the race but was told to hold position.

He ended up finishing a second behind Hamilton despite it being just the third race of the year.

Brown explained after the race that Norris and Piastri had to negotiate several lapped cars first before allowing his drivers to battle for the lead.

While the 23-year-old might understand his explanation, it won’t improve his mood after a gutting missed opportunity.