Fans pile in on Oscar Piastri’s Baku crash as Lando Norris comparison lights up social media

Fans mocked Oscar Piastri’s first-lap Azerbaijan GP crash

Oscar Piastri's Azerbaijan Grand Prix unravelled on the opening lap of the race, with the Australian driver locking up at Turn 5 and hitting the wall after a disastrous start. Formula 1 fans were quick to draw comparisons between him and team-mate Lando Norris, after both drivers struggled this weekend.

Piastri bogged down as the lights were extinguished after jumping the start. After dropping to the very back of the pack, he locked up at Turn 5 and hit the barrier, bringing his race to an early end and his 34-race points streak to a close.

This has been a bruising weekend for the McLaren driver, who had already had a scrappy couple of days in the windy city, which left him starting from ninth. Norris was unable to capitalise on this, however, with him failing to place his McLaren any higher than seventh by Saturday's close - something that Piastri commented on when asked if this was a consolation for him.

"Potentially, but, more disappointed in, you know, you could also argue that it was a good opportunity to make progress. But what's done is done, and try and score some, or claw back some points tomorrow," Piastri said.

Some fans didn't take kindly to this comment, and this subject has once again come to the surface after his grand prix crash.

“Well, who’s the bottler noww [sic],” one commenter wrote in response to an F1 Instagram post. Another added: “They talk about Lando bottling quali, Piastri might be bottling the championship.”

If Norris finishes first in today's race, he'll find himself just six points behind his team-mate, placing him solidly in the championship race.

Oscar Piastri crashes

A recurring theme with fans also seems to include the so-called papaya rules, with several referencing the Italian Grand Prix where Piastri was ordered to allow his team-mate past after a slow pitstop for the latter.

Several comments recycled the gag in light of Piastri’s crash: “Lando, Oscar crashed. Please crash as well. For team spirit,” one wrote as another added, “Lando retire the car, Oscar is out. Team Rules.” Others leaned into the irony: “Where’s papaya rules now?!” a third questioned, with another writing sarcastically: “Lando, to keep it fair, please understeer into the wall, thank you.”

Of course, not all comments were so pointed.

“People are saying he is bottling the Championship but don’t forget this is his first bad weekend and Lando had multiple before," one argued.

This DNF from Piastri could allow Red Bull's Max Verstappen to bring himself back into the picture, especially as he leads the Baku race at the time of writing.

“Verstappen comeback we WILL be there,” and “Championship WIDE OPEN now," two wrote.

The season is far from over.