Nico Rosberg disagreed with one Zak Brown radio message to Oscar Piastri after the Abu Dhabi GP

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Oscar Piastri has to settle for P3 in 2025 as teammate Lando Norris clinched the world championship in Abu Dhabi.

The 24-year-old held a 34-point lead over his McLaren teammate after winning the Dutch GP. That would be Piastri’s last win of the season, as he entered a torrid run of form in the final nine races.

How the Drivers’ Championship would’ve looked without THAT swap in Monza…🤯

Should Max Verstappen feel aggrieved that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri swapping places in Monza may have been the difference in the Drivers' Championship?

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The Aussie grabbed just three podiums in that time as he lost the lead of the championship to Norris and P2 to Verstappen after the Qatar GP. He was 16 points behind his teammate heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Piastri led the race after Verstappen pitted, completing a long stint on the hard tyres. The Red Bull driver eventually got back past the McLaren, and the Woking outfit held positions until the end, with Norris’ P3 securing the title.

Nico Rosberg tells Zak Brown to have ‘more empathy’ for Oscar Piastri after hearing Abu Dhabi radio

It has been a frustrating end to the season for the No.81 driver. Piastri made several mistakes after the summer break, which ultimately cost him the championship.

But the Aussie has also been angered by McLaren’s handling of the title battle. Piastri’s camp feel they have ‘come off worse’ far too often in 2025 with 50-50 calls and team orders.

After the race, McLaren CEO Zak Brown was understandably elated as he came over the radio to congratulate Norris and Piastri. But Nico Rosberg was not too pleased with his message to the latter.

Speaking via Sky Sports F1 (7/12: 3:49 pm), the 2016 F1 champion felt Brown could have had ‘more empathy’ towards Piastri after he lost the title.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s his most horrible moment, probably in a long, long time and his racing career. Maybe Zak could have a little bit more empathy there, rather than celebrating, like I’m so sorry, next year’s your year, something like that.

“I think that would have been a little bit more fitting. But it’s difficult for Zak because he’s so ecstatic at the same time, so I understand.”

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

Oscar Piastri showed his class with ‘nice touch’ to Lando Norris after championship win

Piastri will be going away over the winter and having a hard reset after losing what was a comfortable lead in the standings.

His disappointment has been clear to see in the final few races. But the McLaren driver showed his class amid defeat in parc ferme.

The Aussie was seen congratulating Norris and his family after the race. Martin Brundle applauded Piastri for his ‘nice touch’ to his teammate and title rival.

With the 2026 F1 regulations now fast approaching, the 24-year-old will be gunning for the championship next year. But the second half of 2025 proved that Piastri needs to be on his game to beat Norris.