McLaren’s Zak Brown Discusses Lando Norris’ Repercussions After Singapore Incident Ahead of U.S. Grand Prix
As the excitement builds for the United States Grand Prix this weekend, McLaren’s chief executive, Zak Brown, has addressed the "repercussions" that driver Lando Norris is facing following his controversial contact with teammate Oscar Piastri during the Singapore race. This incident occurred during the opening lap, where a wheel-to-wheel clash left Piastri less than pleased as Norris made his move to overtake.
Despite the stewards concluding that the incident was a racing mishap, McLaren decided against Piastri’s request to swap positions. This decision allowed Norris to finish ahead, narrowing the gap in the championship standings. Ahead of the Austin race, Norris acknowledged the consequences of his actions.
“The team held me accountable for what happened, which I think is fair,” Norris stated. “From there, we’ve made progress in understanding what the repercussions are for me to prevent any future issues.”
After the Singapore race, Brown aimed to downplay the incident, labeling it a "racing incident." However, during a Sky Sports interview on Friday, he confirmed that Norris would face a slight handicap due to the contact with his teammate.
"We evaluate every race thoroughly. While the start of a Formula 1 race can be chaotic and the contact was unintentional, we prefer to avoid our cars making contact," Brown explained. "We communicated our racing philosophy at the beginning of the season, and as a result, there is a minor sporting repercussion for what transpired."
Brown emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency with fans, stating, “We’re committed to allowing both drivers to compete for the championship. While some teams may opt for a one-two finish, that’s not the approach McLaren wishes to take.”
Despite any penalties he may be facing, Norris demonstrated his speed by topping the time sheets in the first and only practice session of this Sprint weekend in Texas. Piastri secured third place, with their McLaren team surprisingly split by Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg, who impressed with a strong qualifying simulation.
For the latest updates and insights from the world of Formula 1, subscribe to our Daily Express F1 newsletter or join our WhatsApp community today!
