Lando Norris has acknowledged that he was at fault in the collision with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri during the closing moments of the Canadian Grand Prix. The incident, which occurred as Norris attempted an overtaking move, caused contact between the two cars, damaging Piastri’s vehicle and ultimately forcing Norris into a barrier. Despite the crash, Piastri finished the race in fourth place, while Mercedes drivers George Russell and Max Verstappen claimed first and second positions respectively.
McLaren remains the leader in the constructors‘ championship but faces increased pressure after Mercedes overtook Ferrari to close the points gap. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, expressed disappointment over the clash, highlighting that it went against the team’s core principles and describing the incident as a misjudgement from Norris without any malicious intent.
Norris Expresses Regret and Apologizes to Team and Teammate
Norris openly expressed remorse for the collision, admitting his error and apologizing to both McLaren and Piastri. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, he said,
No one to blame but myself,
underscoring his acceptance of full responsibility. He further admitted that attempting such a risky maneuver was foolish and felt relieved that Piastri’s race was not completely compromised. He also emphasized,
Rule number one is not to make contact with your team-mate,
reflecting on the fundamental principle violated in the incident.
Oscar Piastri remains the championship leader, holding a 22-point advantage over Norris and a 21-point lead ahead of Verstappen. Although he was disappointed that the accident ended his bid for a ninth consecutive podium finish, Piastri recognized Norris’s accountability. He described their competition as intense yet fair up until the crash.
Piastri commented on the occurrence:
Obviously, it’s not ideal for anyone… But if Lando has taken full responsibility, then that’s how it goes.
He expressed appreciation for McLaren allowing both drivers to race freely for the title and does not anticipate a change in their approach due to this event.
Analysis of Team Relations and Impact on Upcoming Races
This crash marked the first major collision between McLaren’s drivers in the current season, an outcome some within the team had predicted given their competitive nature. Despite the setback, Norris and Piastri remain focused on their championship ambitions and are committed to learning from the incident as they move forward.
Andrea Stella reiterated the team’s position that McLaren will do everything possible to avoid intra-team accidents. The team intends to thoroughly review the crash while maintaining core values and ensuring both drivers grow from the experience. Maintaining strong performance and fostering healthy rivalry remains a priority throughout the season.
The Canadian Grand Prix illustrated the challenges McLaren faces in a highly competitive environment but also highlighted opportunities for growth. With lessons from this collision, McLaren aims to protect their leading standings in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships while encouraging competitive yet respectful battles between teammates.
