McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella was extremely disappointed with his driver duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri following their collision in the 2026 F1 Sprint Race at the Singapore GP. Not only the impact called for extensive fixes on the Aussie’s challenger in the very little time left before Qualifying, but it also cost a great deal of points on both sides of the garage.
It all came down to the final lap of the 2026 F1 Sprint Race in Singapore for McLaren
In fact, up until the twentieth and final lap of the Sprint, the outing had appeared rather successful for both parties involved. In spite of the perilously wet track and of the overall chaotic round which saw eight other drivers retire beforehand, Piastri and Norris had managed to steer away from drama, gaining a spot each as George Russell had crashed.
At Turn 5, Norris attempted to overtake Piastri on the inside, but he made contact as he slid into car #81. The Aussie spun and hit the wall, with the World Champion also rotating.
Ultimately, Norris was able to salvage one point out of his final disastrous lap, ending in P8, whereas Piastri had to retire.
A very upset Andrea Stella
Team Principal Stella expressed his severe frustration with the happening to Sky Sports F1, which didn’t allow McLaren to bring back home nine points from the F1 Singapore Sprint Race already. While Norris had been able to secure two race wins earlier in the season the Asian rounds has reserved more challenges for the papayas, with no points in Baku.
Norris had been forced to retire from the Azerbaijan GP following a collision caused by Colapinto, while Piastri had suffered from a lock-up in the late stages of the race, missing out on a potential podium finish on that occasion too.
“It’s been a long day, as you say. The sprint race was a race that was giving us some good points in a moment in which we are not in condition to win. Still, we were in conditions to score good points and we saw two McLarens having contact, basically going out of the race.
“Lando could score one point, but definitely that’s not enough. Seeing 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.”
Stella stressed the importance of McLaren working together in their quest to return to the podium and eventually to win, and remarking the great deal of eight points lost in a handful of seconds in the Sprint Race.
“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.”
Drivers ready to move on and focus on the impending race
Norris didn’t go too much into details about what happened at the fated Turn 5, just remarking the fact that it is now a closed chapter and he is ready to move on and focus on the upcoming full-length race.
“As a team we all spoke about it. I apologised, but that’s all you need to know.”
At the other side of the garage, Piastri highlighted the main takeaway from the situation. Such challenging moments need an answer as a team, with everyone rallying together.
“It was clear that those kind of things can’t happen. Everyone knows where we sit. So yeah, we’ll be fine and keep pushing together like we always do.”
