Has a popular burger promotion inadvertently derailed a Formula 1 world championship challenge? That's the bizarre conspiracy theory gaining traction among fans as Australian driver Oscar Piastri's 2025 campaign spectacularly unravels.
From Title Favourite to Struggling Contender
The 2025 Formula 1 season began as a dream for Oscar Piastri. The McLaren driver seized control of the championship early, securing victories in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Miami, and the Netherlands. By the mid-season break, his record was formidable: seven wins, five pole positions, and 14 podiums, giving him a solid lead over teammate Lando Norris and Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.
However, his campaign disintegrated following the summer break. A rare crash in Azerbaijan ended his streak of consecutive finishes, while strategic errors and on-track battles with Norris eroded his advantage. The situation worsened in Brazil, where a sprint race crash and a controversial penalty for colliding with Charles Leclerc cost him crucial points. Norris won the Grand Prix while Piastri finished fifth, creating a 24-point deficit with just three races remaining.
The Burger Jinx Theory Emerges
American motorsport commentator Taylor Kitchen has proposed an unusual explanation for Piastri's dramatic loss of form. She highlighted a striking correlation between the driver's performance and a promotion from Australian burger chain Grill'd.
"Oscar Piastri hasn't been on the podium since this restaurant made this post," Kitchen stated in an Instagram video. The promotion originally offered fans a free 'Oscar Piastri burger' whenever the driver secured a podium finish. Grill'd posted about the promotion on September 16, immediately after Piastri's last podium at Monza. Since that date, he has failed to finish in the top three.
With the burger chain unable to give away a single free burger in nearly two months, they took dramatic action. The promotion's rules were updated so that now, fans can get the burger whenever Piastri simply races, regardless of his result.
McLaren's Stance and Future Prospects
Despite the slump, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella remains optimistic about Piastri's chances. Analysing the Brazilian Grand Prix, Stella noted, "From a pace point of view, I think the pace was quite encouraging in the second and third stint." He suggested that with circuits featuring more normal tyre behaviour ahead, there are "encouraging indications" for the final races.
Whether the changed promotion will break the supposed curse remains to be seen. For Piastri to clinch the Drivers' Championship, he needs a dramatic reversal of fortune to close the gap on his teammate. The F1 world watches to see if his championship hopes, like the burgers at Grill'd, are still ready to be cooked.
