McLaren Reset “Clean Slate” Between Norris and Piastri Ahead of Mexico City Grand Prix

McLaren have cleared the internal penalties previously imposed on Lando Norris, after Oscar Piastri accepted partial responsibility for their collision during the Austin Sprint, resetting the dynamic between the title-contending teammates ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

The decision effectively cancels out the consequences handed to both drivers following separate on-track clashes over the past two race weekends.

From Singapore to Austin: Tensions and Accountability

Norris had entered the United States Grand Prix weekend carrying what McLaren described as “marginal sporting consequences” after being found at fault for the pair’s wheel-banging incident at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix.

While the team never specified the exact nature of the sanction, it was widely believed to involve Piastri receiving priority in certain strategic or qualifying decisions. Norris himself suggested the measure would affect him “for the rest of the season.”

However, the situation shifted dramatically in Austin. During the Sprint race, Piastri made contact with Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg at Turn 1, triggering a chain reaction that eliminated both McLarens from the race.

Following a detailed post-event review, McLaren concluded that Piastri bore “a degree of responsibility” for the incident — prompting the team to remove Norris’s earlier penalty and officially declare both drivers back on equal footing.

“The consequences on Lando’s side have been removed,” confirmed Piastri, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by 14 points.

“We’ve gone through it again we go through every weekend regardless of what’s happened. I think there is a degree of responsibility from my side in the Sprint, and we are starting this weekend with a clean slate for both of us. Just going out and racing to see who can come out on top.”

Team Unity Restored

Norris echoed his teammate’s sentiment, emphasizing that the internal review process had been constructive and that both drivers remain united in their approach.

“Like we said, we’d have discussions after the weekend about what happened,” Norris explained. “Going forward, it’s still us as a team versus everyone else of course, still versus each other but we’re in a good place.”

With McLaren having already secured the Constructors’ Championship, the focus now shifts entirely to the Drivers’ title battle between Piastri and Norris. The pair head into Mexico City separated by just 14 points, with Max Verstappen a further 26 points behind in third.

After two consecutive weekends of intra-team tension, McLaren’s decision to reset the slate may prove crucial to maintaining harmony and focus as the fight for the championship intensifies.

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