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Oscar Piastri has fuelled speculation that he's furious over McLaren hurting his world title chances by favouring teammate Lando Norris by re-posting an explosive statement to Instagram, then quickly deleting it.
The Australian led the drivers' standings by 34 points just over 10 weeks ago but is now 24 points behind Norris thanks to an alarming slump in form that has seen him fail to make the podium in the last five grands prix.
His drop-off comes after a series of decisions by McLaren that have been interpreted by many fans as unfairly favouring the British driver, despite the team's 'papaya rules' stating that they should both be treated equally.
On Friday, Piastri posted then quickly deleted a quote from former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone that read: 'McLaren prefers the English driver Norris.
'He has more star quality and marketing appeal for them, has more camera presence and publicity. That's probably why he's better for McLaren.'
It was a stunning move from Piastri, who until now has toed the team line and not publicly criticised his England-based team over the decisions that helped lift Norris back to a clear-cut world championship lead.
Oscar Piastri (pictured at the Las Vegas Grand Prix) has expressed his anger with the perceived bias towards his teammate Lando Norris in explosive fashion
Pictured: The comments from former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone that Piastri posted to Instagram
The Aussie star deleted the post (pictured) but was too late to put a stopper on the controversy
At Monza, he was sensationally ordered to give second place back to Norris following a slow pit stop for the Briton due to a faulty wheel gun.
The Hungarian Grand Prix saw Norris given a one-stop strategy that was key to his win, while Piastri was told to make two pit stops.
In Singapore, Piastri revealed his anger over the team radio when Norris hit Max Verstappen, launching the world champion into the Aussie's car, leaving him to finish fourth.
McLaren refused to make Norris hand back the place, then celebrated winning the constructors' championship on the podium without waiting for Piastri, who was waiting to talk to the media.
Ecclestone went further with his take on what is happening at McLaren.
'You can tell Piastri is upset and tired of them, and the discussions about them are getting on his nerves,' he said.
'The pressure is constantly increasing, and Piastri is frustrated that he can no longer win races so easily and that Norris is so clearly being favoured within the team.'
Ecclestone added that McLaren had 'more often slowed down the Australian using various methods'.
Many fans believe Lando Norris has climbed back to the lead in the drivers' standings on the back of decisions that make a mockery of McLaren's 'papaya rules'
Piastri only has three races, Vegas included, to bridge the 24-point gap to Norris
The drama surfaced just after McLaren boss Zak Brown hailed Piastri's fighting spirit, despite his struggles in the US, Mexico and Brazil.
'Oscar's definitely fighting back - I think one of his greatest strengths is he just gets in the zone,' Brown said from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The team CEO also opened up about how Norris is dealing with the villain status he has been saddled with as the favouritism drama refused to go away.
"The booing would have bothered him in the past but he recognises that was as much probably booing for me and how we're treating it (the duel between teammates). So he's in a great place. It's not bothering him," Brown said.
"And the best part is, it's real, right? Sometimes you can go, don't let that stuff bother you, but you can see it does.
'He is just in a good place, he's doing his thing... he's just engaged, in the zone, totally focused but they're both relaxed.
'They're not faking it. They're chilled.'
