McLaren make decision over tension between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as Max
McLaren have ‘wiped the slate clean’ with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in an attempt to stop Max Verstappen snatching the world title from their grasp.
The question after last weekend’s race in the US was whether Piastri would face ‘consequences’ for crashing into Norris in the sprint race, as Norris did when he hit Piastri a fortnight earlier in Singapore.
But, as revealed by Daily Mail Sport, that will not be the case after an internal review in the last few days, involving team principal Andrea Stella and both drivers. Instead of escalating the situation in a tit-for-tat exchange of unspecified ‘repercussions’ a line has been drawn under any simmering tensions.
Piastri, speaking ahead of Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix, confirmed the change of tack, saying: ‘We have gone through it again as we do every after every race. There is a degree of responsibility on my side for the sprint so we will be starting this weekend with a clean slate.
‘The consequences have been removed for both of us. There were a lot of factors involved, but ultimately this is what has been decided.’
McLaren’s focus turns towards thwarting Verstappen’s late surge over the final five rounds of a thrilling championship. The Dutchman, chasing a fifth consecutive title, has come from 104 points behind Piastri as recently as last month to within 40 after three wins in the last four races.
McLaren has drawn a line under simmering tensions between world championship-chasing drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
The two drivers crashed out during the Spring race ahead of the United States Grand Prix
Norris has beaten Piastri in all those four and is 14 off the top, with 141 points to play for in Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
A McLaren insider said: ‘They were constructive talks. Everyone involved understands we have a common “adversary” and stopping him is the main priority.
‘Both drivers know the framework that governs how they drive. But this is not rigid. It depends on individual circumstances in each race.’
Meanwhile, a former Russian general has controversially been reinstated to the FIA’s World Motorsport Council.
Victor Kiryanov stepped down from the body following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and is sanctioned by the UK, US and EU, among other countries.
But FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has since allowed Kiryanov back into the fold that, among other responsibilities, determines F1’s regulations.
A spokesman for the FIA said: ‘The FIA is a politically neutral body, governed by a democratically elected senate.’