A controversial incident at the Singapore Grand Prix has left its mark on the McLaren team, with Lando Norris facing consequences that will linger until the season's end.
Following a tense first lap, where Norris made contact with his teammate Oscar Piastri, the aftermath has sparked intriguing discussions within the team. While the focus post-race shifted to their impressive Teams' Championship victory, Norris addressed the incident's impact during a media day at the United States Grand Prix.
"There will be repercussions for me until the season concludes," Norris explained. "It's not as if I've escaped unscathed; it was a small incident that could have been avoided. I never want to be in a position where I make contact and risk jeopardizing my entire championship, just as much as I would risk it for my opponent."
Norris' admission highlights the delicate balance between aggressive racing and championship aspirations. Piastri, who voiced his displeasure over the radio, commented, "That wasn't very team-oriented." He further elaborated, "Are we okay with Lando barging me out of the way like that?"
During the talks that followed, Piastri stated that Norris had taken responsibility for the incident. "The conclusion was clear: we don't want to race like that as a team. Lando has acknowledged his role, and we've moved on. The rules won't change, and we have our framework for a reason. It's been addressed, and now we look ahead."
Piastri added that they chose not to disclose further details about the repercussions to avoid giving other teams an advantage. "We race against nine other teams, and we don't want to reveal any sensitive information. It's only fair to keep certain things within the team."
As the season progresses, the question remains: how will this incident shape the dynamic between Norris and Piastri? Piastri reflected, "We'll do our best to race within what we believe is acceptable as a team. That's all we can do. I wasn't pleased with what happened, and the team has made it clear that such an incident on Lap 1 is unacceptable."
Currently, Piastri leads the Drivers' Championship by 22 points over Norris, with Max Verstappen trailing by 63 points in third place.
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