Analyst observes Piastri 'panicking' during fierce duel with Norris

Piastri seemed to be the one to challenge pole-sitter Charles Leclerc for the victory in the opening phase. However, Lando Norris followed an alternative one-stop strategy, and thus was ahead of Piastri, who made two stops. Leclerc had already lost ground in the battle for victory, so in the final stages of the race, the McLarens were battling it out.

Despite Piastri getting incredibly close to Norris over the last laps, he didn't manage to overtake him. On the penultimate lap, the Australian made an attempt into Turn 1, during which he overshot and nearly hit his teammate.

In the end, no contact was made and Norris won the race.

Former driver Jolyon Palmer also talked about Piastri's attempt. “I don't think this is really a legitimate overtaking attempt from Oscar at all. I think probably he's just trying to hope and maybe put the frighteners on Norris, but there's no chance really of this one ever coming off as he sends it down the inside,” he began his analysis on F1 TV.

The Briton continued: “Norris does start turning in a little bit early. He closes the line which makes it more sketchy really for Oscar. But as we get here, this is absolutely never on."

"And Oscar's now just panicking, hoping he doesn't nerf into the back of his teammate because obviously whilst that would be no points lost, it would be some serious bad rep within McLaren and it would be a very awkward situation. So, you don't want to have that, especially with ten races to go in the season," he concluded.

Entering the summer break, only nine points separate the two McLaren drivers, as Piastri leads Norris.