McLaren chief confirms “review” of Norris Piastri clash but insists “no malintent”

McLaren team chief Andrea Stella has confirmed that the team will be reviewing the incident between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, but applauded the latter for taking responsibility for the misjudgement.

The two drivers, both in contention for the championship, were involved in an intense battle during the Canadian Grand Prix. After multiple laps of clean racing, Norris went for the overtake on his team-mate but misjudged the gap to the left of his car and ended up clipping the wall and the rear left of Piastri’s MCL39, ending his race. 

Fortunately for the Australian driver, his race was not over, and he crossed the line in fourth position under safety car conditions.

Stella reacted to the incident while talking with Sky Sports F1 pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz, explaining that there was clearly “no malintent” from Norris’ side.

“We never want to see a McLaren involved in an accident and definitely we never want to see the two McLarens touching each other,” he explained.

“It’s something we definitely need to review because this is a very clear principle. At the same time it’s a contact that happened because of a misjudgement. Just Lando misjudged the distance to the car ahead and therefore there was no malintent. 

“Lando owned [up] immediately, took responsibility for that, but certainly something to discuss and review. Our principles are already in place, our drivers will have something to learn further and we go racing again.

“It is absolutely a misjudgement that cost Lando quite a lot in the championship. It already cost for the team so definitely an incident that should have not happened.”

Norris immediately apologised and took responsibility over the team radio and later claimed it was “silly” on his part while speaking to Sky Sports F1 reporter Rachel Brookes.

“No one to blame but myself, so I apologise to the whole team and to Oscar as well for attempting something probably a bit too silly,” the 25-year-old driver admitted.

“Glad I didn’t ruin his race. In the end apologies to the team.”

He added, “this was just more silly. This wasn’t even like a ‘that’s racing’, it was just silly from my part.”