McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that Oscar Piastri apologized after nearly colliding with teammate Lando Norris during the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. The incident occurred as the two drivers fiercely competed for the lead following an early safety car period.
As the first round of pit stops approached, Piastri attempted an overtaking move on Norris at Turn 4 but locked up his tires, causing a near side-by-side collision and flat-spotting his tires in the process. Race engineer Tom Stallard later warned Piastri that the move was “too marginal” and cautioned against repeating such a risky maneuver.
After the race, Stella explained that Piastri acknowledged his aggressive move and apologized for pushing too far.
“We needed to give Oscar advice in terms of the manoeuvre into Corner 4 which he actually acknowledged. Once again, proud of him. After the chequered flag he said that he was sorry, that he went a little too far,”
Stella said.
Stella highlighted the intensity of the battle between Piastri and Norris, emphasizing that close racing is part of their sport.
“It was intense racing but that’s what we’re here for. Austria is a special track, when you get DRS you are hooked to the car ahead. This is what happened in the first stint, the pace of Lando and Oscar was similar. They stayed together then at the end of the stint, Oscar had a couple of chances,”
he added.
He also reflected on managing pressure from the pit wall, stating,
“They are obviously stressful moments but we trust, we rely on Lando and Oscar. On the pitwall you try to stay as chilled as possible, and analyse rationally what is going on.”
McLaren Strengthens Team Unity Following Previous Collision in Canada
The near-collision in Austria takes on added significance given the earlier incident between Piastri and Norris at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, where the two title contenders made contact for the first time this season. That episode ended with Norris promptly taking responsibility and apologizing to the team, avoiding further conflict.
Andrea Stella described how the team emerged stronger from the Canada incident, benefiting from honest communication and shared commitment.
“The guys needed the opportunity to win the race, as long as they do in the way that they did it,”
Stella remarked.
He acknowledged that the Canada collision was a “misjudgement” caused by Norris miscalculating his closing speed and racing line. Despite this, the apology helped the team move forward.
“From there, we started a process of good conversations. We came out more united as a team. That’s how you grow, not all things will be good. Even from unpleasant events you need to find a way to grow,”
Stella said.
Currently, Piastri leads Norris by 15 points in the fight for this year’s Formula 1 drivers’ championship, underscoring the intensity of their intra-team competition as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead for McLaren and Its Drivers
The close moments between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix demonstrate the fine line the team must navigate between fierce competition and maintaining harmony. With a recent history of on-track clashes and high stakes in the title race, McLaren’s approach to conflict resolution and driver management remains critical.
As both drivers continue to push each other toward peak performance, the team’s ability to harness this rivalry positively will likely influence their success for the remainder of the 2024 season.
