Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has issued an apology after misunderstanding McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown's comments about Oscar Piastri at the Spanish Grand Prix. The incident occurred while Grosjean was working as a pundit for Canal+ and F1TV in Madrid.
Brown's comment came during a post-qualifying interview when asked what Piastri was missing compared to Lando Norris. Brown replied, "I think you've got Lando on his A-plus game, so I don't think there was anything left lap-time-wise there and so he found that. Oscar has been right there with him all weekend and just didn't get that same extra performance that lap. We'll continue to look at it. He'll look at the data and probably do what we all did and go: 'Wow, what a lap!'"
However, during the live broadcast with Canal+, Grosjean claimed Brown had taken a "chainsaw" to Piastri's performance and even said Norris is a world champion and a better driver. This sparked controversy among fans and on social media.
Realising his mistake, Grosjean quickly posted an apology on his social media account on Sunday evening. "Today, I made a comment on Canal+ regarding Zak Brown's comments about Oscar Piastri during an interview yesterday on F1TV, which I was part of," he wrote. "I completely misunderstood his words and want to apologise for that. I know how important it is to Zak and the entire McLaren team to respect their drivers and treat them fairly and equally."
Grosjean also added that McLaren had the fastest car that day and were unlucky with the VSC. "I'm sure both Lando and Oscar will have another chance to fight for the win in Baku," he said.
This incident highlights how sensitive public statements in the paddock can be, especially when they concern internal team dynamics. McLaren, with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are enjoying a strong season, and the balance between the two drivers is a key focus. Grosjean's misinterpretation serves as a reminder that context is crucial in media communication.
With this apology, Grosjean hopes there will be no negative impact on his relationship with the McLaren team or Brown. Attention now shifts to the next race in Baku, where both McLaren drivers will aim for maximum performance.
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