McLaren has confirmed that drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will continue racing against each other for the world championship, despite a collision during the Canadian Grand Prix. The incident occurred with only three laps remaining when Norris attempted to overtake Piastri for fourth place, resulting in him clipping Piastri’s car. Norris took full responsibility for the crash, admitting he had failed to accurately gauge the distance to his teammate.
Fortunately, Piastri’s car appeared unharmed, while Norris was forced to retire after the collision caused him to hit the pit wall. During the race, Piastri maintained his composure, securing his position while Norris’s car was damaged by the impact.
As the season progresses, McLaren leads the constructors’ championship, with Piastri currently leading the drivers’ standings by 22 points over Norris. Following the incident, McLaren principal Andrea Stella remarked that the team would conduct thorough discussions to address the situation, emphasising the importance of fair opportunities for both drivers.
Stella stated that despite the inevitable rivalry, he aims for the team to maintain a fair racing environment, allowing both drivers to compete without excessive external control and preserving their chances for success. He acknowledged that clear communication and mutual respect will be vital to prevent future incidents.
While the team is yet to determine if they will establish clear driver priorities, Stella expressed a commitment to managing the situation without implementing rigid team orders. He noted that the recent incident should encourage both drivers to exercise greater caution while racing.
Norris has received the team’s full backing moving forward, despite being deemed at fault for the collision. McLaren remains optimistic that both drivers can achieve competitive results throughout the season, which will benefit the team’s standing in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.