McLaren has decided to remove the repercussions placed on Lando Norris before the Mexico Grand Prix, a move that intensifies the ongoing Formula 1 title race between Oscar Piastri, Norris, and Max Verstappen.
Earlier, the team held Lando Norris responsible for the lap-one contact in Singapore with his teammate during an overtake for third. McLaren responded by introducing a “minor consequence”, allowing Piastri to decide the pitlane order during qualifying sessions.
Austin Incident Forces a Reversal
That internal penalty was overturned after the Austin sprint race produced another dramatic first-lap collision between the McLaren drivers.
Oscar Piastri tried to execute a cutback maneuver on Norris into Turn 1, but Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber, caught between the two McLarens and Alonso’s Aston Martin, tagged the Australian. The resulting contact pushed Piastri into Norris and ended both drivers’ races prematurely.
Piastri acknowledged his part in the crash. “The consequences on Lando’s side have been removed,” said Piastri.
Verstappen’s Closing Gap Changes the Picture
The decision reflects McLaren’s increasing awareness of Verstappen’s looming threat. With five rounds to go, Piastri leads Norris by 14 points, and Max Verstappen trails by just 40.
“McLaren has now cottoned onto the idea that Verstappen is a very real presence in this title fight. Thus, it makes no sense to tie one arm behind its back, even if those ‘repercussions’ were minor.”
Allowing both drivers to fight freely gives McLaren a better chance to hold off Verstappen’s late-season charge.
Analysts Criticize Previous Approach
McLaren’s earlier handling of the situation raised eyebrows among experts who felt it complicated matters unnecessarily.
“Overcomplicated. Unnecessary. And, quite frankly, even a bit damaging for F1,” wrote one pundit.
Team management often claims to let their drivers race, yet close internal scrutiny after every move seemed to burden both Norris and Piastri.
“Perhaps everyone at McLaren now understands that holding back its own drivers can be more damaging than letting them race as they know how.”
With Verstappen tightening the gap, the team clearly decided the penalty system was doing more harm than good.
Clean Slate Before a Crucial Race Weekend
By clearing Norris of any lingering consequences, McLaren has reset its driver policy before Mexico. Both racers now enter the weekend with equal status, which could prove decisive in the three-way championship fight.
“Now that both Norris and Piastri know what will happen when they punch holes in the ‘papaya rules’, the onus is on them to play nicely.”
McLaren is betting on its drivers’ discipline to avoid another costly incident that might hand Verstappen a bigger opening in the title race.
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