Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: McLaren, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Formula 1
Ryan Smart
McLaren have made a 'promise' to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris amid an internal review into their lap one incident at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Norris made contact with the left side of Piastri's car as he attempted to avoid hitting Red Bull's Max Verstappen at turn two.
The Brit managed to complete the move on his team-mate, and stayed ahead of him in third place for the entirety of the Grand Prix.
Piastri was dismayed at McLaren's decision not to take any action against Norris mid-race, telling race engineer Tom Stallard: "Mate, that's not fair. Sorry, that's not fair. If he has to avoid another car by crashing into his team-mate, that's a pretty s**t job of avoiding."
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed post-race that an internal review of the incident would be held, with both drivers able to put across their points of view.
Advert
Norris stated publicly (via Motorsport): "Anyone on the grid would have done exactly the same thing as I did. So I think if you fault me for just going up the inside and putting my car on the inside of a big gap, then you shouldn't be in Formula 1.
"Of course, I misjudged a little bit how close I am to Max, but that's racing."
Piastri, meanwhile, was more diplomatic: "I need to go and look at it. Obviously there was contact, which is never ideal. But I'll go and have a look at the replays."
According to journalist Diego Mejia (via F1Oversteer), team principal Stella has 'promised' to Piastri that McLaren are not favouring Norris in their Drivers' Championship title, and will prove as such.
Stella told Sky Sports on Sunday: "It's not only the championship points but it's also the trust of our drivers in the way we operate as a team, and this is, if anything, even more foundational than the points themselves.
"So we will apply all the accuracy that is required in this case [during the review] and all the conversations that are needed."
Piastri leads Norris by 22 points in the standings with six races to go.
During the Italian Grand Prix, the Australian was asked to let Norris back through into second after overtaking him due to a slow pit stop.
Piastri complied, but stated over team radio: "We said that a slow pitstop was part of racing, so I don't really get what's changed here. But if you really want me to do it, I'll do it."