At the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, Lando Norris candidly acknowledged making a costly mistake after a high-speed collision with his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. The crash, which occurred at nearly 200mph, overshadowed the race’s defining moments and dealt a significant setback to Norris' championship ambitions.
The race in Montreal featured a standout performance by George Russell, who secured his first victory of the season from pole position, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Additionally, Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli celebrated his inaugural Formula One podium by finishing third.
However, it was the dramatic clash between McLaren teammates Norris and Piastri on the tenth lap that dominated discussion. The incident unfolded during a fierce battle for fourth place near the race’s conclusion. Norris attempted an ambitious overtaking move beneath Piastri at the hairpin. Although Piastri managed to regain position through the ensuing chicane by holding the inside line, Norris seized what he perceived as an opportunity to pass on the straight.
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Unfortunately, Norris miscalculated and collided with the rear of Piastri’s car, forcing him to stop with significant damage. Following the crash, Norris quickly took responsibility over the radio, apologizing for his error and labeling the move “stupid.”
Piastri was able to continue and finished fourth after the race resumed behind the safety car. This result extended his championship lead over Norris from 10 points to 22, further intensifying the title fight.
Reflecting on the incident, Norris said, “Rule number one is not to make contact with your teammate, and that’s what I did. McLaren is my family, and I race for them every weekend. Letting them down like this makes me feel terrible, and I have a lot of regret. I owe Oscar an apology for the risk I took; he raced me fairly throughout.”
McLaren management had anticipated potential clashes between their promising drivers, and Norris' immediate acceptance of blame was viewed positively by both the team and Piastri. The apology also helped ease tensions within the team moving forward.
Piastri commented on the situation, saying, “Lando apologizing means a lot. He is a good guy who always speaks honestly, even when it’s tough for himself. We can race hard and still handle setbacks professionally. This unfortunate incident won’t change our relationship or our approach as we continue fighting for the championship.”
As both drivers regroup, McLaren will look to manage their internal battle carefully to maximize their chances in the ongoing title pursuit.