Zak Brown issues a serious caution to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri following their collision in Singapore.
Andrea Stella, the principal of McLaren, has indicated that the team is still in conversation with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri following their incident at the conclusion of the Singapore Grand Prix sprint. Zak Brown, however, was less forgiving in his assessment.
The duo, sporting the iconic papaya colors, were battling for fourth place on the final lap of the sprint when Norris attempted an aggressive maneuver on Piastri at Turn 5. This bold tactic by the reigning champion has drawn criticism from analysts in the aftermath. The clash resulted in both vehicles spinning out, leading to Piastri's retirement, while Norris managed to recover to finish eighth, with stewards opting not to take further action.
In a post-race discussion on Sunday, Stella emphasized that the ongoing conversations are not focused on assigning blame, but rather on the implications of the incident.
“The discussions we are having are ongoing, but it’s not about determining whether Lando was next to Oscar – that’s not the key issue," he stated.
“For me, the crucial aspect is the reflection that all stakeholders, including the team and the drivers, need to engage in regarding how to collectively lead the team, consistently prioritizing the team’s interests over any individual agendas. This is why our discussions from this perspective are not yet concluded, and there's more work to be done to foster a more united and resilient team.”
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown's Perspective
In contrast to his team principal, the CEO of McLaren Racing was more candid during his conversation with Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle on the grid walk.
"Absolutely. That was a 'don't let that happen again'. And we weren't polite about it. That's a directive," Brown remarked.
"It was an avoidable setback for the team at a time when we are under pressure, trying to close the gap to Ferrari, with Red Bull hot on our heels."
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Norris Takes Responsibility
Right after the sprint, Norris defended his decision, asserting "there was a significant gap, I went for it, I had the right to try," but by the end of Sunday, his perspective had shifted.
"I shouldn't have attempted what I did; I should never have gone for it, even if the opportunity was there. I need to prioritize the team I represent over myself. It was a misstep on my part, and I let the team down. I've also apologized to everyone involved, and I owe them a debt of gratitude. We'll aim to improve next time," he acknowledged.
Norris concluded the grand prix in fourth place, with Piastri finishing closely behind in fifth.
Red Bull Gaining Ground
Currently, McLaren holds third place in the constructors' championship with 339 points, trailing Ferrari by 105 points and only seven points ahead of Red Bull. The upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin promises to further intensify the competition among these teams.
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