The Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff believes a heated contest could unfold between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris following their clash at the Singapore Grand Prix. “I've seen that movie a few times.”
- Toto WolffWolff, who spoke to the media following the conclusion of the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, was asked about the incident between the pair, especially with the season entering its decisive phase.
The Austrian motorsport chief stated that it was a sight he was all too familiar with, before hinting at how tensions could rise as the season progresses.
He said: “I've seen that movie a few times. I think how Andrea and Zak are doing it is actually quite good – they're talking about it and managing it in a very transparent way. But it gets slim, and it's going to come to a situation where a few points will matter.
“Then they’ll start to calculate and back-calculate, and I guess the elbows are going to come out a bit more – that’s when it starts to get interesting.”
Lando Norris collided with Oscar Piastri at the start of the Singapore GP. Photo: RacePictures.
The Mercedes team principal, however, concluded by expressing confidence in the McLaren hierarchy’s ability to effectively handle their drivers’ situation.
“These guys are on top of it. The management at McLaren is on top of it, and for us as fans, it’s going to be interesting to watch,” Wolff concluded.
The Singapore Grand Prix witnessed both Norris and Piastri steal the spotlight after the McLaren pair
made contact on the opening lap of the race. The duo, however, went on to finish third and fourth, respectively, which saw
Norris further cut the gap at the top of the championship to 22 points.
Button tells Piastri to accept Norris got the better of him in Singapore GP
2009
Formula 1 champion
Jenson Button also weighed in on the incident between Norris and Piastri. The former McLaren driver, who was on punditry duties with Sky Sports
F1, detailed how the Australian would have to accept that he was largely outsmarted by his teammate.
Button further explained how Norris had little chance of manoeuvring his way out of what was becoming a tight third corner as both drivers fought to claim third place on the opening lap of the race.
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