McLaren Hold Internal Talks on Lando Norris After Canadian GP Collision w… read more
McLaren are currently engaged in private discussions to determine how best to handle Lando Norris following his high-profile collision with teammate Oscar Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix. While the team looks ahead to the Austrian Grand Prix as a chance for redemption, the incident in Montreal has triggered serious internal evaluations. The crash, which forced Norris into his first retirement of the 2025 Formula 1 season, raised questions about the dynamics between McLaren’s two drivers and how such conflicts can be avoided in future races.
According to a report from sport.de, the incident is not being taken lightly within the Woking-based outfit. Far from dismissing it as a mere racing mishap, the team is reportedly conducting a series of internal reviews to assess Norris’s role and responsibility in the collision. These meetings are said to be taking place “behind closed doors” and include key figures from the race team, technical staff, and senior management. The core objective is to evaluate how Norris will be “managed internally” following the incident, with a view to maintaining team harmony and avoiding a repeat of such costly mistakes.
The crash occurred during the early stages of the Canadian Grand Prix when Norris, while battling for position, collided with Piastri in what many observers deemed an unnecessary and avoidable clash. Although both drivers had shown competitive pace throughout the weekend, the contact not only ended Norris’s race but also compromised Piastri’s performance. While Piastri managed to finish the race, the incident sparked criticism from pundits, including former F1 driver Timo Glock, who publicly questioned Norris’s decision-making and spatial awareness during the maneuver.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella did not directly condemn Norris in the immediate aftermath but emphasized the importance of discipline and mutual respect between teammates. He noted that while McLaren encourages both drivers to race hard, there are boundaries that must not be crossed. The team is now focusing on reinforcing these boundaries without compromising the competitive spirit that has driven much of their recent success.
One of the key areas of concern is how to balance allowing both drivers to race freely while also safeguarding against intra-team collisions that can jeopardize valuable points in the Constructors’ Championship. McLaren are currently in a fierce battle for third in the standings, and every lost point could prove critical by the season’s end. As such, the Woking outfit is reportedly considering changes to their internal racing protocols—possibly including clearer rules of engagement or the implementation of team orders in high-risk scenarios.
Internally, there is also a focus on how Norris himself will respond to the situation. Now in his sixth season with McLaren, the Briton is regarded as the team’s senior driver and a figure of influence. The management are believed to be weighing how best to guide him through this phase, ensuring he reflects on the incident constructively without damaging his confidence or disrupting team morale. With Oscar Piastri continuing to grow in stature and performance, McLaren are keen to preserve a healthy relationship between their two talented drivers.
The Austrian Grand Prix this weekend may serve as a crucial reset point for Norris. He will be aiming to put the Canadian mishap behind him with a strong showing at the Red Bull Ring—a circuit where he has previously performed well. However, all eyes will be on how the team manages both drivers on and off the track, with the Canadian GP crash serving as a stark reminder of the fine line between ambition and recklessness in Formula 1.
Ultimately, McLaren’s internal handling of the Norris-Piastri clash could shape not only the rest of their 2025 campaign but also their long-term strategy as they pursue championship contention.
