McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes an intra-team clash between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri late on at the 2025 F1 Canadian GP was “not acceptable” – but he noted how Norris’ instant reaction was key in defining the course of action after the incident.
Norris had made a successful lunge down the inside of Piastri as the pair reached turn 10 on lap 66, but had compromised his line in doing so and allowed the Australian back through on the exit.
As the pair battled down towards the final chicane, Piastri found himself with the inside line but a compromised run, which left him vulnerable to an attack from Norris on the pit straight.
But the Briton, in his own words, “misjudged” the space between the two cars and the pair made contact in dramatic fashion, as he lost his front wing and completely damaged his front-left axle against the wall after hitting Piastri’s left-rear tyre. That left Norris out of the race, whilst his team-mate escaped unharmed.
“Not acceptable” to have two McLarens colliding
Speaking to F1TV after the Canadian GP, McLaren F1 team principal Andrea Stella didn’t hold back in stating that contact between two of his cars is “not acceptable”, but emphasized that Norris’ reaction of owning up to the incident was a key part in determining that the situation was “reset” and no major corrective action will have to be taken:
“We never want to see a McLaren car involved in an accident, and definitely we don’t want to see the two McLarens having contact,” said Stella. “So this situation is a situation that we know is not acceptable.
“At the same time, we appreciate that Lando [Norris] immediately owned it, raised his hand and apologised to the team, which for us sort of resets the situation.
“I’m sure he has an important learning point coming from this race, [as] he paid a price in the championship.
“We appreciate his behaviour straight after the accident, and we will go racing again.”
Norris’ reaction avoided him having some “serious conversations”
Stella further explained that Norris’ apologetic approach saved him from having “serious conversations” about their racing etiquette and rules with his F1 drivers, and believes this incident at the Canadian GP will not change how the team or its drivers will go racing in the future:
“It doesn’t change things, because it’s a misjudgement,” he added. “It’s not like the driver had an intent that was beyond the principles, it was just a misjudgement of the proximity of the car ahead.
“If Lando had a different reaction, then certainly there would be serious conversations to be had, but I think he immediately realised that he simply miscalculated and caused a problem for himself, for the team, and was very close to cause a problem for Oscar [Piastri].”
Norris now sits 22 points back from Piastri’s 198 points in the drivers’ world championship after his non-score in Canada, and is just 21 points ahead of third-placed Max Verstappen. McLaren still comfortably lead the constructors’ table, with 362 points to their name, 175 clear of Mercedes in second.
