Lando Norris Crashes into Oscar Piastri at Canadian Grand Prix, Ending McLaren’s Podium Hopes
The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix took a dramatic turn late in the race as McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided while fighting for position, dealing a significant blow to the team’s hopes and raising new questions about intra-team rivalry.
The incident occurred during the closing laps at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as Norris and Piastri engaged in a fierce battle for fourth place. The clash came when Norris, attempting to push past his teammate, misjudged his move and made contact with the rear of Piastri’s car. The front wing of Norris’ McLaren clipped Piastri’s left rear tyre, sending Norris off track and into the barriers.
Norris, visibly shaken and regretful, quickly took responsibility for the incident over team radio. Speaking to his race engineer Will Joseph, Norris admitted the crash was entirely his doing. “I’m sorry. All my bad. All my fault. Stupid from me,” he said shortly after the collision. His contrition was clear, but the consequences were no less severe for McLaren, who had been poised for a strong points finish with both cars.
The crash ultimately brought out the safety car, under which the race concluded. This neutralized the final laps of what had been an action-packed Grand Prix and handed George Russell of Mercedes the win. While the collision didn’t involve the front-runners directly, it played a crucial role in shaping the race’s dramatic finish and headlines.
The clash between Norris and Piastri is especially significant given the context of McLaren’s 2025 campaign. Both drivers have been performing at a high level this season and were viewed as potential title contenders. Their rivalry has been closely watched, and until now, they had managed to keep their on-track battles clean and respectful. However, with tensions rising in the heat of the championship battle, Sunday’s crash may be seen as the first real fracture in McLaren’s strategy of letting its drivers race freely.
McLaren had previously emphasized that both drivers were allowed to compete without team orders, provided they maintained mutual respect and avoided incidents. This philosophy was meant to encourage healthy competition and maximize team performance. However, the events in Canada may force the team to rethink that policy, especially as the championship fight tightens and every point becomes more critical.
Team Principal Andrea Stella will now be faced with difficult questions—not just from the media but also internally—as McLaren assesses the cost of lost points and possible tension between its star drivers. Though no official team orders have been announced following the incident, it’s likely that internal discussions will be held to prevent a repeat in future races.
As McLaren picks up the pieces, George Russell’s composed performance and victory under the safety car capped off a weekend full of drama and unpredictability. While the Mercedes driver celebrated at the top step of the podium, McLaren was left contemplating what might have been—and how to move forward from an incident that may shape the rest of their season.
