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Grill’d Turns ‘Curse’ Meme Into Marketing as Piastri’s Form Slumps

The Australian burger chain leaned into fan jokes with a mock apology that reaffirmed support for the McLaren driver.

Overview

  • Grill’d issued a tongue-in-cheek statement acknowledging social-media claims that its OP81 burger had jinxed Oscar Piastri.
  • The company shifted its promotion from triggering on Piastri podiums to activating whenever he races, broadening the giveaway as results dipped.
  • Grill’d teased cheeky “Sorry Not Sorry” merchandise and rolled out billboard messaging while keeping the tone playful rather than accusatory.
  • Piastri has not returned to the podium since Monza and now trails teammate Lando Norris by 24 points with three grands prix remaining, according to recent reports.
  • Despite the banter, the brand stressed it backs Piastri, citing 330,000 OP81 burgers already claimed and calling the driver a homegrown hero.