Lando Norris apologizes for being « stupid » in his duel with Oscar Piastri
Lando Norris has apologized to his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri after their late-race collision at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Briton took full responsibility, admitting he had been « stupid » in attempting an overtake which he « misjudged ».
A collision at the end of the race
Lando Norris was chasing Oscar Piastri in a battle for fourth place in the final laps of the race, and the gap between the two drivers was gradually closing. An overtake at the hairpin initially allowed the Briton to get ahead, before Oscar Piastri regained the advantage at turn 13. However, as Lando Norris attempted to overtake him again on the straight, he braked too late and collided with the rear of his teammate’s car.
The damage forced Lando Norris to retire and stop off track, triggering a safety car, while the Australian was able to continue and finished fourth. Reflecting on the incident after the race, Lando Norris took full responsibility – the stewards also handed him a five-second penalty – and explained what was going through his mind at that moment.
« I thought Oscar was going to move a little more to the right, not to leave a gap of course—I don’t expect him to make it easy for me, but I simply misjudged the situation », explained the driver with six victories.
« It’s entirely my fault, I take full responsibility, so I apologize to the whole team and to Oscar for attempting something like that.
Read also: Grand Prix du Canada: Russell triumphs in Montreal, collision between the McLarens
A battle for the championship
When asked if he attempted the overtake because he’s fighting for the championship, Lando Norris replied: « Yes, but there’s a way to take your chance, like at the hairpin – a beautiful overtaking, clean and fair – and there’s being stupid, like I was at the end. »
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the McLaren driver specified that he did not at any point ask to be let through, even as he was catching up to Oscar Piastri, who was himself chasing Kimi Antonelli in third.
The British driver was also asked how he planned to bounce back before the next round of the calendar in Austria, scheduled from June 27 to 29.
« I’m going to bed tonight, I apologize to everyone, and then we move forward again », he concluded.
Read also: Lando Norris: “We never said we were going to avoid everything” about his rivalry with Oscar Piastri
