The implications for Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix have been removed by McLaren after the team concluded that Oscar Piastri was responsible for a crash at the start of the sprint at the US Grand Prix.
Norris was singled out for the way he raced with his team-mates in Singapore, and it was suggested that the repercussions could last until the end of the season. However, the Australian admitted the situation is now in the balance after the two drivers collided as Piastri attempted a switchback in Turn 1 at the start of the sprint at the Circuit of the Americas, leading to initial contact with Nico Hulkenberg.
“We went through it again. No matter what happens, we usually go through this every weekend,” Piastri said. “I think there’s some responsibility on my part in the sprint, and we’re both starting this weekend with a clean slate. So, yeah, we’ll just go out and race and see who can come out on top.”
“Yes, the influence on the Rand side has been removed. And yes, ultimately that was the move (starting move). There were many factors involved, but yes, ultimately that was the decision.”
Piastri insists that the impact and outcome of the various incidents does not put any extra pressure on McLaren’s drivers, and similarly insists that he will not allow Max Verstappen’s recent progress to affect his approach to the final races of the season.
“Obviously the gap has closed a little bit over the last few races, but the focus for me has always been to go as fast as I can and make the most of every weekend,” Piastri said. “Some weekends I’m able to do that, and some weekends I’m not at all. That’s all I’m focused on and I don’t think it really matters what the picture looks like as long as I’m able to get that done every weekend.”
“There are positives and negatives to both (leading and chasing). Obviously everyone likes a good underdog story and trying to come back can be a little easy sometimes, but I’d rather be leading the championship than being in any other spot.”
“I’ve always said I enjoy it because it usually means we’re doing something right. I think we’ve done a lot of things right throughout the season, but there are still some things we can do better.”
