Norris Confirms McLaren Drivers Free to Race Despite Singapore Collision

Lando Norris says team orders have not been introduced ahead of the United States Grand Prix, but warns another clash with Oscar Piastri cannot happen again.

McLaren driver Lando Norris has revealed that he and teammate Oscar Piastri will still be allowed to race each other despite their dramatic collision during the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint.

The incident occurred on the final lap in Singapore when the two McLaren drivers made contact while battling for position. Although race stewards ultimately classified the incident as a racing matter, Norris later accepted responsibility and publicly apologised to the team.

Ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Norris explained that McLaren had addressed the incident internally and made it clear that future collisions between teammates would not be tolerated.

McLaren Still Allowing Fair Racing

Despite the controversy in Singapore, Norris stressed that McLaren has not imposed strict team orders on its drivers.

The British star said both he and Piastri remain free to compete against one another on track, provided they avoid unnecessary risks that could compromise the team’s results.

Norris admitted he received strong criticism from within the team following the collision but maintained that the freedom to race remains unchanged.

However, he acknowledged that incidents similar to those seen in Singapore and during last year’s Sprint event in Austin must not be repeated.

The 26-year-old emphasised that while hard racing is encouraged, driver discipline and awareness remain essential when teammates find themselves fighting for position.

McLaren Searching for More Performance

Beyond discussing team dynamics, Norris also gave an honest assessment of McLaren’s recent form.

The team enjoyed a strong period during the middle of the season, with Norris claiming victories in Hungary and the Netherlands while also securing several pole positions.

However, McLaren’s pace advantage has faded in recent races, making it increasingly difficult to challenge consistently at the front of the grid.

Norris believes the current car has the speed to compete but remains extremely difficult to drive at the limit.

Championship Challenges Remain

According to Norris, one of McLaren’s biggest issues is the narrow performance window of its car.

He explained that putting together a perfect qualifying lap often feels exceptionally difficult, even during weekends when McLaren appears competitive.

While the team has demonstrated flashes of race-winning pace, Norris admitted that the car’s handling characteristics make consistency difficult to achieve.

The Briton believes McLaren still has a chance of securing another victory before the end of the season but insists the team needs a faster package to regularly compete for wins.

Focus Already Turning to Next Season

Looking ahead, Norris said McLaren must develop a car that is easier to drive if the team hopes to challenge for world championships in the future.

He argued that outright speed alone is not enough and that a championship-winning car must allow drivers to extract maximum performance consistently across all conditions.

The comments provide a valuable insight into the challenges still facing McLaren despite the progress made in recent seasons.

With the Formula One title battle entering its decisive stages, the Woking-based team will be hoping to strike the right balance between allowing its drivers to race freely and avoiding costly mistakes.

For now, Norris and Piastri remain free to battle on track, but both drivers know another intra-team collision could have serious consequences for McLaren’s ambitions.