Lando Norris is set to face consequences after McLaren found him responsible for the first-lap collision with his teammate Oscar Piastri during the Singapore Grand Prix. The incident, which saw both McLaren drivers make contact at turn two, sparked controversy within the team and among fans as the tension in the Formula One title race intensifies ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
The collision occurred as Norris attempted to move ahead of Piastri into third position, resulting in wheel-to-wheel contact that disrupted both drivers’ rhythm early in the race. While race stewards did not penalize either driver, McLaren later reviewed the incident internally and concluded that Norris was at fault. The team has since confirmed that “repercussions” will follow, though the nature of those consequences has not been disclosed.
Oscar Piastri expressed disappointment over how the first lap unfolded but praised the team’s decision to address the matter privately and professionally. “It’s quite clear for us that what happened on lap one wasn’t how we want to go racing,” he said. Piastri emphasized that McLaren drivers are expected to race cleanly and respect team principles, noting that any deviation from this standard carries internal consequences.
Norris accepted full responsibility for the incident and admitted that the team’s disciplinary measures were fair. “The team held me accountable for what happened, which I think is fair,” he said. “There are consequences, and they’ll be in place until the end of the season.” He also highlighted that maintaining teamwork remains a top priority for McLaren, especially as both drivers remain in contention for the championship.
McLaren’s leadership, including CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella, have made it clear that intra-team collisions are unacceptable as they threaten both the team’s progress and morale. The British outfit has previously intervened in driver disputes, such as when Piastri was asked to let Norris through in Monza or when Norris allowed Piastri to claim victory in Hungary last season.
With Piastri currently leading Norris by 22 points and six rounds left in the season, the balance of competition within McLaren is delicate. The team’s goal is to preserve harmony while ensuring both drivers continue to perform at their peak. As the title race heats up, McLaren’s internal unity could prove decisive in determining whether they can sustain their position as Formula One’s strongest team.
