McLaren throws “complete support” behind Lando Norris after “miscalculated” F1
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella used his “complete support” to Lando Norris after his motorist answered for colliding with his F1 team-mate Oscar Piastri in the Canadian Grand Prix.
After combating wheel to wheel for fourth location over a number of laps, Norris closed in on Piastri on the start-finish straight with four laps staying out of 70.
Norris then made a mistake of judgement as he tried to pass Piastri on the left into a closing gap, driving into the back of his team-mate and after that hitting the pitwall to suffer terminal suspension damage.
The Brit instantly owned up to his error over group radio, saying it was “all on me” as he suffered a big points loss in the drivers’ championship, and he later also apologised in person to Stella and Piastri, who escaped damage to end up fourth.
Responding to the event, McLaren manager Stella said the team would have internal discussions on how to prevent a repeat, however he offered support to Norris as the Briton right away shouldered responsibility for the clash.
Lando Norris, McLaren Picture by: James Sutton/ Motorsport Images through Getty Images”It depends on us as a group to show our full support to Lando,” Stella stated. “We will have conversations and the discussions might be even difficult, but there’s no doubt over the assistance we provide to Lando.
“The circumstance would be different if Lando would have not taken responsibility and apologised. This is simply an outcome of a mistake, a misjudgement from a racing point of view, which undoubtedly need to not take place, however at the same time belongs to racing.
“And we did appreciate the reality that Lando immediately owned the situation. He raised his hand. He took duty for the mishap, and he apologised instantly to the team.
“How we react to these situations will ultimately be a very important knowing point. In the coming days, we will have to go into what is required in order to make sure that when we go racing, we preserve the margins that are needed.”
Stella didn’t believe any lingering disappointment from Norris over his botched certifying session, which left him facing a comeback race from seventh on the grid, played part in the incident.
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“I’m not exactly sure that there is any factor to do with the reality that he may have struggled a little bit yesterday in qualifying to capitalise on his speed, a speed that he had actually demonstrated throughout the weekend,” Stella included.
“Certainly, there was a little aggravation for not having actually been able to certify as he would have liked. But at the moment, I wouldn’t say that that’s the reason that there was a misjudgement today. I believe this is too long a shot in regards to associating these two events.
“But definitely there will be excellent discussions, but they will take place once we are all rested and calm, and we have the possibility to take all the learning and discharge what doesn’t have to come with us in the future.”
Photos from Canadian GP – Race
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Filip Cleeren
Solution 1
Lando Norris
McLaren
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