As the Formula One season enters its decisive phase, Oscar Piastri is focused on a strong finish to a challenging campaign. The McLaren driver’s recent struggles coincided with a promotional offer from an Australian restaurant chain, leading to fan theories of a playful “jinx.”
The chain, which had offered free burgers whenever Piastri reached the podium, publicly acknowledged the superstition and ended the promotion this week. In a social media statement, the company joked it “never meant to create a burger so delicious it could change the course of F1 history,” apologising to those who believed in the so-called curse.
With the burger deal off the menu, attention returns to the track, where Piastri aims to reclaim his early-season form. His manager, former F1 driver Mark Webber, acknowledges the tough run but backs his driver’s resilience.
“He’s had a tough run, but this is about character, about finding those deep motivations you need at this point to come back,” Webber stated in a recent broadcast interview. He emphasised that a dip in results hasn’t diminished Piastri’s drive.
Despite the recent setbacks, Webber was keen to highlight the significance of Piastri’s season. Fighting for the championship in only a third year at motorsport’s pinnacle is a rare feat.
“It’s obviously an incredible journey so early in his career,” Webber noted. “Year three is pretty unprecedented. A lot of drivers don’t fight for a title once in their career, so you’ve got to try and find the positives.”
With three races remaining and his teammate leading the standings, Piastri’s title hopes are slim. However, the conclusion of the “burger curse” and a refocus on core performance provide a fresh narrative for the young Australian as he targets a powerful end to the year.