Piastri and Norris: “We start from zero” in the Mexican Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri has confirmed that both he and his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, will start the Mexican Grand Prix with a “clean slate”. This, after Piastri took responsibility for the contact between both drivers on the first lap of the United States Grand Prix sprint race. After an analysis of the incident in Austin, the “consequences” that were imposed on Norris after being held responsible for the contact between both drivers in the Singapore Grand Prix have been lifted. The tension in the fight for the title between the McLaren teammates is evident this season. Piastri leads Norris by 14 points, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull is 40 points behind Piastri and closing in on both. Both drivers retired from the Austin sprint race after Piastri attempted to overtake Norris for second place at Turn 1, colliding with Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber on the inside and then hitting Norris on the outside. The team director, Andrea Stella, announced that McLaren would review the Austin incident before this weekend’s race in Mexico. Piastri, for his part, took the blame.
When asked if that meant the “consequences” Norris was facing had been lifted, Piastri added: “Yes, the consequences on Lando’s side have been withdrawn.” Piastri was on the outside of Norris before the contact in Austin and tried to go back to the inside of his teammate to make the maneuver. That sudden change of direction caused contact with Hülkenberg, which ultimately caused Piastri to bounce off Norris. McLaren is committed to allowing its drivers to fight for the title, as long as there is no contact on the track. Piastri confirmed that it was the aggressive nature of his move on Norris that led him to take responsibility.“We have reviewed the situation, as we normally do every weekend, regardless of what happened. I think there is a degree of responsibility on my part in the sprint. And we start this weekend with a clean slate for both of us. So yes. We go out to race and see who can come out on top”.
Oscar Piastri
“Ultimately, it was that. There were many factors involved, but yes, ultimately, that’s what has been decided.”
Oscar PiastriNorris also confirmed that the conversations had taken place and said he was looking forward to being on equal terms with Piastri for the remaining races.“Yes, they were pretty easy conversations. I guess from now on, looking ahead to the rest of the season. It’s like before, all eyes on the future and I’m just focusing on myself and doing what I do. Of course, it’s better when there’s nothing in the way or nothing that could be a slight disadvantage, as there was before. So yeah, there’s not much to add. It was a few quick conversations and with an eye on the rest of the week”.
Lando Norris
