Lando Norris Rethinks Singapore Sprint Move on Oscar Piastri

Lando Norris has had a change of heart regarding his on-track clash with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri during the Singapore GP Sprint. Initially standing by his decision to dive down the inside of Piastri on the final lap, Norris has now conceded that the move was ill-advised.

The incident at the Marina Bay Street Circuit resulted in wheel-to-wheel contact, sending both McLarens into a spin. Norris managed to recover and finish eighth, scraping together a single point. However, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was not amused, calling the incident "unacceptable" and hinting at serious discussions ahead of the next race in Austin.

Norris, who finished fourth in the main Grand Prix, has since apologized to the team. "I can’t attempt what I did," Norris admitted. "I should never have attempted it in the first place, even if the move was on. I've got to think more of the team that I represent rather than myself. It was a mistake on my part and I let down the team. So I apologize to all of them. I'll do better next time."

Stella noted that despite the incident, Norris showed willingness to support Piastri's effort to pass Lewis Hamilton during Sunday's race, which wasn't necessary in the end. This, according to Stella, proves that both drivers remain committed to the team’s principles. "What we had yesterday, I classified it as unacceptable," Stella remarked. "But I was encouraged by the fact that this sentiment was shared by our drivers."

The McLaren boss emphasized the importance of unity and teamwork, suggesting that individual ambitions must be secondary to the collective goals of the team. "The conversations we are having are not finished," he said. "It's not about whether Lando was alongside Oscar; it's about leading together as a team."

Stella expressed satisfaction with Norris's eventual alignment with team priorities, a mindset he expects all McLaren drivers to adopt. "It's what the 1,000 people at McLaren expect from our drivers," Stella concluded. "I'm pleased that Lando adopted this way of thinking during the race, and I expect more of that in the future, whether it's communicated over the radio or behind closed doors in meetings."

_Additional reporting by Thomas Maher_