Oscar Piastri’s slump forces Grill’d to revise free burger giveaway, fans joke about the ‘hamburger curse’. Oscar Piastri’s recent poor results forced Australian chain Grill’d to change the rules of its free OP81 burger promotion.

Piastri falters and Grill’d has to change free burger promotion: social media jokes about the ‘hamburger curse’

The ‘Hamburger Curse.’ Social media has been buzzing with playful jokes following Oscar Piastri’s sudden slump, which coincided with the relaunch of an Australian promotion by the Grill’d chain. At the start of the year, Grill’d created the “Oscar Piastri Burger” to celebrate a new Australian success — the McLaren driver who, until two months ago, seemed on track to win the 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship.

Unbelievable, but true

In mid-September, Grill’d relaunched the promotion, offering a free OP81 burger if Oscar Piastri finished a race in the Top 3. For context, the OP81 is a premium Wagyu beef burger served on a charcoal bun, topped with chipotle OP mayonnaise, crispy bacon, aged cheddar, grated carrot, romaine lettuce, and Spanish onion, all presented in a limited-edition box.

Unfortunately for fans and the McLaren driver, Oscar Piastri failed to finish in the top three during the five races held under this promotion. His results included a retirement in Baku, a fourth-place finish in Singapore, and three fifth-place finishes in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. Social media quickly turned the situation into lighthearted commentary, dubbing it the “hamburger curse.”

Promotion rules revised

Now Grill’d has revised the terms of the promotion. The free OP81 burger will be given simply if Piastri finishes the race, regardless of position. This dramatic adjustment highlights the unusual circumstances surrounding the promotion and is certainly not flattering for the McLaren driver. It also raises questions about whether the OP81 burger was as sought-after by customers as initially anticipated.

While the change ensures fans still get a taste of the exclusive burger, it also humorously marks the end of the ‘Top 3 challenge,’ and social media has had a field day joking about Piastri’s misfortune. The promotion, initially designed to celebrate a promising season, has inadvertently become a lighthearted narrative illustrating the unpredictability of Formula 1 and the whims of marketing campaigns.

For Oscar Piastri, the episode is another reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in F1 — from being a championship contender to inspiring burger jokes online. Meanwhile, Grill’d has adapted to maintain fan engagement, turning a potentially embarrassing campaign into a story of resilience and humor. The OP81 burger remains a highlight for Australian fans, even if the ‘hamburger curse’ now looms large in the social media narrative.