Stella Says Norris And Piastri Collision Was Not Acceptable

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has said the collision between his drivers in the Singapore sprint was not acceptable. The stewards issued no penalty, but Stella stressed that it should never have happened.

On the final lap, Lando Norris tried to pass team mate Oscar Piastri for fourth at Turn 5 and made contact, sending Piastri into a spin. Piastri was out of the race, and Norris dropped to eighth. Having been on course for nine points from fourth and fifth, McLaren scored just one. The stewards ruled that neither driver was predominantly to blame.

Speaking to Sky, Stella said that at a time when the team is not in a position to win, the sprint had been giving them good points, and seeing two McLarens make contact like that was not acceptable. He said the matter will be discussed with the drivers in private, and that the team will remind them that its interests are bigger than anyone and that no ego is above McLaren. He added that he believes these conversations will make the team more united and stronger.

Norris said he apologised to the team. He considered the stewards’ ruling fair, but acknowledged that he was the one attacking and that nothing would have happened if he had held back. He still believes he had the right to go for the gap. Piastri said it was clear that such incidents cannot happen.

Norris and Piastri have clashed before, most notably at last year’s Canadian and Singapore Grands Prix.