Stella sends unmistakable message to Piastri and Norris after 'unacceptable' crash
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has made it clear that the collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri during the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint was unacceptable. The Italian confirmed that the incident would be discussed privately with both drivers, stressing that the interests of the team must always come first.
McLaren's Saturday in Singapore was overshadowed by contact between Norris and Piastri during the Sprint. The incident brought renewed attention to how the Woking-based outfit manages its two drivers when they find themselves racing against each other.
The collision was not the first between the teammates, who also came together at last year's Canadian Grand Prix. However, Saturday's incident occurred in a Sprint race in which neither driver was fighting for a podium finish.
Speaking to Sky Sports following qualifying, Stella delivered a firm assessment of the collision between his two drivers, making it clear that McLaren would address the matter internally and reiterate the importance of prioritising the team's interests above individual ambitions.
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"See two McLaren making contact like that is simply not acceptable. This is something that we will discuss with our drivers. We will do it in private. We will reiterate that the team interest is far bigger than any of us.
"There's no ego, there's no person that is bigger than the interest of the McLaren Formula One team. This will be reiterated. I'm sure, like always, these will be conversations that will lead to the team being more united and even stronger."
Photo: Race Pictures
Norris and Piastri address Singapore collision
Both McLaren drivers also reflected on the incident after qualifying, acknowledging the frustration caused by their contact. Norris admitted that neither he nor Piastri was happy with the outcome and accepted that both could have handled the situation better. The Briton confirmed that they discussed the incident and moved on.
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Piastri echoed those sentiments, highlighting the championship points lost and the additional workload and costs created for McLaren. The Australian acknowledged that the collision was unnecessary, while also emphasising that both drivers are capable of apologising when required and putting disagreements behind them.
The stewards ultimately decided against penalising either driver, concluding that both contributed to the collision and neither was predominantly responsible.
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