McLaren CEO Zak Brown has explained why Oscar Piastri was instructed to “hold position” when closing in on Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix. After getting by Max Verstappen on Lap 17, Piastri reeled Norris in with a series of fastest laps.

Wearing McLaren orange under soaking plastic ponchos, fans turned up in droves to the Formula One Australian Grand Prix on Sunday with hope of seeing Oscar Piastri end the nation's 40-year wait for a home winner.

Whilst Lando Norris secured the first win of the year, the Australian Grand Prix will be remembered for McLaren's demand for Oscar Piastri to 'hold his position' against his team-mate, contrasting with Zak Brown's message that his drivers are free to race.

McLaren secured their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 a year ago, and the season ended with either Norris or Piastri on the top step of the podium in four of the fin

Follow us on Twitter @‌dexpress_sport - the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account - providing real news in real time. We're also on Facebook @‌dailyexpresssport - offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.

Piastri’s performances last season led to rival teams potentially wanting to make a play to lure him away from McLaren. Naturally, the team’s CEO, Zak Brown, would have been eager to tie the two-time Grand Prix winner down, irrespective of the financial implications.

Oscar Piastri is quietly confident he can become the first Aussie driver to win the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. He's aiming for it this weekend.

Orange can be a brave choice in fashion but the colour will be much in vogue at Albert Park this week as McLaren's Oscar Piastri bids for a breakthrough win at his home Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren locked out the front row in Melbourne with Lando Norris taking pole position for the Australian Grand Prix while Oscar Piastri was second quickest in qualifying

After helping McLaren to a constructor's championship in 2024, Oscar Piastri was rewarded with a multi-year contract worth nearly $26 million per year, according to Racing News 365. The new deal replaces Piastri's contract that ran through 2026 and was set to pay him over $7 million per season.

McLaren believe Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri can co-exist without problems as the team goes into the new season as favourites.