The McLaren team has put the controversial incident from the Singapore Grand Prix behind them, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri now refocusing on their pursuit of the Formula 1 championship. Norris acknowledged on Thursday that he took responsibility for the collision with Piastri at the start of the race, which allowed him to secure a better position and narrow Piastri’s championship lead to just 22 points. Despite the incident, both drivers emphasized that McLaren’s team principles, known as the ‘papaya rules,’ remain unchanged as they head into the United States Grand Prix this weekend. Piastri expressed his dissatisfaction during the Singapore race, claiming that the team’s decision not to order a position swap was unfair, especially after previous incidents where he was instructed to let Norris pass. The tension has sparked concerns about whether the pressure of a title fight between teammates could destabilize the team, which has already secured the constructor’s championship. Norris defended his actions, stating that while he regretted the contact, he would not pass up an opportunity to gain an advantage. He also dismissed comparisons to past rivalries, such as the infamous Hamilton-Rosberg feud at Mercedes, praising McLaren team principal Andrea Stella for maintaining team morale. With six Grand Prix and three sprint races remaining, both drivers are vying for their first F1 championship. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is mounting a late-season charge, adding further intensity to the title race. As the teams prepare for the heat-hazard-designated races in Texas, drivers will have the option to use cooling vests to combat the scorching temperatures, which are expected to exceed 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius).
Norris held accountable for McLaren’s scrap in Singapore that tightened up F1 title chase
