Australian restaurant chain Grill'd has made a cheeky apology for putting a 'curse' on Oscar Piastri's Formula One title hopes with their offer of a free burger for every time the McLaren driver gets on the podium.

The Melbourne native has not finished in the top three since the promotion relaunched five races ago, losing the championship lead to teammate Lando Norris and now 24 points behind.

Online conspiracy theorists have been quick to put two and two together.

The chain's Piastri 81 Burger debuted ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in March, with his endorsement, and was relaunched in September after he was on the podium in Italy and leading the championship.

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