5 hours ago
2
McLaren have ‘wiped the slate clean’ with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in an attempt to stop Max Verstappen snatching the world title from their grasp.
The question after last weekend’s race in the US was whether Piastri would face ‘consequences’ for crashing into Norris in the sprint race, as Norris did when he hit Piastri a fortnight earlier in Singapore.
But Daily Mail Sport understands that will not be the case after an internal review in the last few days, involving team principal Andrea Stella and both drivers. Instead of escalating the situation in a tit-for-tat exchange of unspecified ‘repercussions’ a line has been drawn under any simmering tensions.
McLaren’s focus turns to thwarting Verstappen’s late surge over the final five rounds of the championship. The Dutchman, chasing a fifth consecutive world title, has come from 104 points behind Piastri as recently as last month to 40 back following three wins in the last four races.
Norris, who has beaten Piastri in all those four, is 14 off the top. There are 141 points to play for, in Mexico this weekend, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
A McLaren insider said: ‘There have been very constructive talks and wiping the slate clean was decided to be the best way forward. We have a common “adversary” and stopping him is the main priority.
McLaren has drawn a line under simmering tensions between world championship-chasing drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
The two drivers crashed out during the Spring race ahead of the United States Grand Prix
‘Both drivers know the framework that governs how they drive in the team. But this is not rigid and depends on the demands of every situation in a race. Both drivers are happy with the resolution that has been reached.’
Norris and Piastri are due in press conferences in Mexico City later today and they are expected to declare peace in their time.
