At a critical stage of the season, the two McLaren drivers collided at the Singapore GP, leaving both cars with damage. Lando Norris hit Oscar Piastri into the third corner during what was deemed to be a racing incident. Both cars had damage to their front wings as Norris finished third, one place ahead of his championship rival.
Piastri was unhappy with the incident, commenting over the radio that it was “wasn’t very teammlike“. After the race weekend, McLaren reviewed the incident and deemed that Norris was at fault. The Brit has now admitted that he will face the consequences for the rest of the season.
Lando Norris to face repercussions from McLaren after Singapore GP incident
McLaren has been very clear this season that their drivers can race hard and fair, but not make contact, under the guise of ‘Papaya rules’. The championship rivals came together in Canada, where Norris took the responsibility. However, after Singapore, there are only six race weekends left, and a 22-point gap. Max Verstappen is also waiting in the wings if McLaren implodes.
After a review, Norris admitted that the team found him responsible for the collision. Speaking to the media in Austin, the Brit said, “Things are reviewed, and there are and will be repercussions for me until the end of the season. It’s not like I’ve got away with anything.”
Speaking with Lawrence Barretto, team principal Andrea Stella added, “The conversations after Singapore have been very positive, very constructive. We reviewed the case, and we identified that Lando was responsible for the contact because he was a little long in corner 3, touched Verstappen and then he oversteered onto Oscar.
“The repercussions or consequences are part of our framework. This is something that both drivers were keen to have in the racing framework. [The matter] has been dealt with.”
Lando is still 22 points behind his teammate, which, with six grand prix and three sprint races, is a small margin. All the Brit can do is beat his teammate every week to close the gap. The drivers will most likely race each other again before the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi, but it is how they approach it which will be key.
How will the McLaren drivers race at the United States GP?
After the contact in Singapore, questions will be asked about how the title rivals attack each other going forward. Both drivers are keen to beat each other, but they have to do it fairly under the ‘Papaya rules’. However, Norris says that despite the contact in Singapore, the drivers are free to race.
The 25-year-old said, “The engagement and how we go racing is the same as it’s always been.”
Stella added, “For me, what’s important is that all this happens within the fairness, the sportsmanship, all the values that characterise the way in which we go racing at McLaren and then may the best win.”
Lando Norris Braces for Battles as Max Verstappen Emerges as True Challenger
With the threat of Max Verstappen looming in their mirrors, Norris and Piastri can’t keep tripping over each other. The Dutchman keeps clawing back points on the Papaya pair since the summer break and is becoming a real threat. Lando and Oscar need to fight each other, fairly, to stop any outside threat. Otherwise, this could soon become a very tense three-horse race, something McLaren wants to avoid.
