Australian restaurant chain apologises for burger curse as Oscar Piastri hopes to turn F1 season around

"As Oscar Piastri desperately works to rebound from his recent Formula One woes, an Australian restaurant chain is doing its part to keep his title hopes alive. After offering free burgers for every time the Australian made the podium, Grill'd burger chain has apologised for putting a curse on the McLaren driver. Piastri has not finished in the top three since the promotion was relaunched five races ago, with his teammate Lando Norris taking the championship lead off him."

"Grill'd's Piastri 81 Burger was first put on the menu before the Australian Grand Prix in March, with Piastri's endorsement, after he was on the podium in Italy and was leading the championship. But since then the 24-year-old driver has crashed, collided and picked up penalty points. The chain then changed the offer to reward fans for when he finished a race and Piastri subsequently crashed out of the Sao Paulo sprint."

"Burger curses are not on the mind of Piastri's manager, Mark Webber, who says his charge will have to find deep motivations and character to provide a rousing end to his chastening 2025 season. But even if this year's drivers' crown may now be beyond Piastri, as Norris is 24 points clear with just three grand prix remaining, Webber was also quick to remind everyone of the near unprecedented achievements of the man who's still a relative three-season novice."

Grill'd launched the Piastri 81 Burger and promised free burgers whenever Oscar Piastri reached the podium, after his early-season success and a podium in Italy. The promotion was relaunched five races ago, and Piastri has not finished in the top three since, while teammate Lando Norris has taken a 24-point championship lead with three races remaining. The chain altered the offer to reward fans when Piastri finished a race, but Piastri then crashed out of the Sao Paulo sprint. Grill'd apologised on social media for any perceived 'curse'. Manager Mark Webber called for Piastri to find motivation and praised his achievements.

Read at www.theguardian.com