Former Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg has commented on the recent clash between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri during the Canadian Grand Prix, suggesting it reflects a mental edge that Piastri holds over Norris. According to Rosberg, Piastri’s calm demeanor both on and off the track, coupled with his strong performance this season, appears to have unsettled Norris.
In the final laps of the race, Norris collided with Piastri while battling for fourth place, resulting in his exit from the race. Fortunately for Piastri, his car remained unscathed, allowing him to complete the event. This incident marks their first on-track confrontation as teammates. Following the race, Rosberg mentioned that such mistakes can lead a driver into a “dark place” mentally, recalling his own struggles during his time as Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes.
Norris accepted responsibility for the incident, expressing regret and acknowledging that he had attempted a risky manoeuvre that he deemed “probably a bit too silly.” He stated, “No one to blame but myself,” and was relieved that the incident did not negatively impact Piastri’s race.
In terms of performance, Piastri has outshone Norris this season, boasting five race wins compared to Norris’s two, and has widened his championship lead to 22 points. Motorsport commentator Greg Rust noted that Piastri’s psychological advantage over Norris is apparent but cautioned that the championship race is far from over, with still 14 events remaining in the season.
Rust highlighted Piastri’s maturity, attributing it partly to former F1 driver Mark Webber’s mentorship. He pointed out that Piastri has consistently met the personal goals he’s established since entering F1, positioning himself well within a high-performing team environment.
As the F1 season heads to Austria in two weeks, intensified rivalries and psychological battles among drivers like Norris and Piastri are expected to develop further. The evolving dynamics in the McLaren team are sure to remain a focal point as the championship progresses.