Herbert loud and clear on who he blames in Norris-Piastri clash
Lando Norris collided with Oscar Piastri at the start of the Singapore GP. Photo: RacePictures.
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A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Former FIA Steward thinks Oscar Piastri is responsible for the controversial crash with McLaren teammate Lando Norris, a type of racing that both he and fans, the Briton believes, all want to see more of.
That's what it's all about, that's what I want to see, and I think that's what the fans want to see.- Johnny Herbert about Norris' overtake on Piastri
Having gotten a great launch off the line, Norris quickly dispatched Antonelli, and went side by side into Turns 1 and when 2, but when entering Turn 3, a tight left-hander Norris ran into the back of Max Verstappen which caused an oversteery moment in Norris' car.
This movement and the subsequent correction resulted in the crash with Piastri. The Australian driver was livid, even swearing on the radio.
However, former FIA Steward Herbert saw everything was on the up and up from Norris' side. “That was a good piece of racing,” he said.
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“To be honest, the guy that put himself in that position was Piastri himself. Because he got close to Max which ran him a little bit wide, and he lost a bit of momentum, which allowed Lando to go down the inside but then around the outside and on the inside of turn three.
Norris and Piastri celebrating McLaren's constructors' title in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures
"Okay, they touched," Herbert conceded. "He had a little bit of a wiggle; he touched Max as well.
“But that's what it's all about, that's what I want to see, and I think that's what the fans want to see. That's exactly what I would expect a racing driver of the calibre of Oscar and Lando and Max, to do.
He added: "But for him to come over to the radio and say, well, that's not a team thing, and basically give me the place back, was bizarre.
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“They're using the papaya rules to try and benefit themselves. I’m really glad the stewards didn't get involved, and the team didn't get involved. It was right for Lando and wrong for Piastri to be so uptight about it in the moment and then annoyed with the situation later on,” Herbert concluded.
Herbert thinks 'Cool Piastri' is long gone
Herbert is convinced the cool and collected Oscar Piastri is no more. According to the British former F1 driver, his title rival and teammate Norris has beeen ramping up the heat building a championship pressure pot, thus revealing the tiny cracks in Piastri's armour.
The difference between Max Verstappen and championship leader Piastri is 63 points, with Norris being the Australian McLaren driver's closest pursuer at 22 points.
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