Singapore clash between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri reignites McLaren rivalry and team tension

A tense collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Singapore Grand Prix has reignited friction inside McLaren — threatening to unravel the fragile harmony that has held the team together through one of its most successful seasons in years.

The contact occurred at Turn 3 of the Marina Bay Circuit, when Norris slid into his team-mate after being nudged sideways by Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. The Briton’s McLaren tapped Piastri’s sidepod before regaining control, but the moment was enough to spark internal unease.

The flashpoint came as McLaren fight for both drivers’ and constructors’ titles, having already secured their first team championship since 1998. Norris, chasing Piastri’s slender 25-point lead, managed to reduce it by just three after finishing third behind race winner George Russell and Verstappen, while Piastri crossed the line in fourth.

Norris, however, was quick to defend his move, insisting any top driver would have done the same.

“Anyone on the grid would have done exactly the same thing as I did,” he told reporters. “If you fault me for putting my car on the inside of a big gap, then you shouldn’t be in Formula 1.”

The 25-year-old denied deliberately risking contact with his teammate, arguing that the clash was simply a racing incident.

“I don’t think I did anything wrong. I misjudged slightly how close I was to Max, but that’s racing,” Norris said. “Nothing really happened otherwise, and I’m sure I still would’ve ended up ahead of Oscar anyway. The FIA thought it was fine, and the team did too — so that’s it.”

Piastri, however, was visibly frustrated after the race. The Australian started third, two places ahead of Norris, and appeared to have stronger early pace before losing track position in the opening corners. Though McLaren publicly downplayed the confrontation, insiders described the atmosphere post-race as “frosty.”

The incident is particularly sensitive given McLaren’s delicate driver dynamic. The team has worked hard to foster mutual respect between Norris — the established star — and Piastri, whose speed and composure have made him a genuine title contender in only his second F1 season.

Until now, the relationship had survived wheel-to-wheel battles without major fallout. But the stakes are rising rapidly, and with both men in the hunt for the championship, the pressure is beginning to show.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was diplomatic afterwards, refusing to apportion blame while stressing the importance of avoiding internal collisions. “We’ll review the data, as always,” he said, “but what matters most is keeping the respect and focus that got us this far.”

Behind the scenes, sources say McLaren’s leadership are determined to prevent a repeat of the Hamilton-Rosberg implosion that fractured Mercedes in 2016. Both drivers are expected to be reminded of their responsibilities in the upcoming team debrief.

Despite the tension, Norris was adamant the rivalry will not derail McLaren’s season.

“The last thing I want is to make contact with my team-mate,” he said. “All I get is questions from you guys after something like this. I can’t afford mistakes — none of us can. But we move on.”

For now, the FIA has taken no action, classifying the contact as a “racing incident.” But the psychological damage could prove harder to contain than any mechanical scrape.

As F1 heads into the crucial final rounds, McLaren face a new challenge — not from Mercedes or Red Bull, but from within their own garage.