McLaren Cancels Movie Night After Piastri’s Qatar GP Podium Finish
Team reportedly worried he might "start thinking he has our full support”
QATAR—McLaren has officially canceled its weekly team movie night following Oscar Piastri’s podium finish at the Qatar Grand Prix. The team fears Piastri might start believing he has their full support rather than the carefully measured, rationed, half-strength version reserved for drivers who aren’t named Lando Norris.
The decision reportedly came seconds before Piastri crossed the finish line. “We love Oscar. We support Oscar. We just… movie night is special,” said one senior engineer who insisted on anonymity but was absolutely wearing Norris merch. “Yeah it’s one win, but it’s a loss for someone else. That’s Lando. Should we be celebrating that?”
Insiders say the canceled movie night was originally set to feature The Matrix, a choice deliberately made to “start calling Lando, Neo.” But Piastri’s triumph made the higher-ups nervous.
“Oscar drove brilliantly, but let’s be realistic,” said team principal Andrea Stella. “Full support isn’t something we hand out casually. It’s a sacred resource. We allocate it carefully, scientifically, spiritually. The Papaya rules are clear.”
Piastri, for his part, seemed confused by the cancellation. “Movie night was the one time we all hung out,” he said, standing beside a trashcan full of uneaten pizza boxes. “We discussed me supporting Lando in his chase for the championship and we agreed I wouldn’t. I guess this was part of the agreement.”
As the team regroups, McLaren leadership insists nothing is wrong. “We’re proud of both our drivers,” Stella confirmed. “Balance must be maintained. Oscar is still absolutely our driver… with first-driver potential. Some day.”
Movie night remains indefinitely postponed. Sources say the moment Oscar stops being mean to Lando by winning, the projector may be plugged back in.