Coulthard Sides with Piastri on McLaren's 'Fair Play' Principle After Singapore Incident

Oscar Piastri's frustrations with Lando Norris and McLaren during the Singapore Grand Prix were justifiable, according to former F1 driver David Coulthard, who emphasized that "fair has to be fair." The incident, where Norris made contact with Piastri while avoiding Max Verstappen on the opening lap, sparked a heated radio exchange and raised questions about McLaren's 'don't crash' team rule.

Why it matters:

McLaren's internal 'don't crash' policy, established by CEO Zak Brown, aims to ensure respectful racing between its drivers. However, the Singapore incident, and the team's subsequent non-intervention, highlighted the complexities of enforcing such rules in the heat of a race. Coulthard's defense of Piastri underscores the critical importance of fairness in team dynamics, especially for competitive drivers vying for every point.

The Details:

• The Incident: On the opening lap of the Singapore Grand Prix, Lando Norris collided with Oscar Piastri's car while swerving to avoid Max Verstappen in Turn 3. Although Norris's front wing endplate was damaged, he ultimately finished third, ahead of Piastri.
• Piastri's Reaction: Piastri expressed immediate frustration over the team radio, stating, "That wasn't very team-like" and "Mate, that's not fair. I'm sorry, that's not fair." He questioned McLaren's decision not to intervene, arguing that Norris's avoidance maneuver shouldn't have come at the expense of his teammate.
• McLaren's Stance: Race engineer Tom Stallard informed Piastri that the team saw Norris needing to avoid Verstappen and would not take action during the race, promising a review afterward. McLaren's existing 'papaya regulations' explicitly state, "Race each other respectfully. Give each other enough room and don’t touch each other."
• Coulthard's Defense: David Coulthard backed Piastri, explaining, "The sensitivity of a race driver is such that fair has to be fair." He drew on his own experience at McLaren with Mika Hakkinen, recalling instances where he was asked to move aside but never received a reciprocal gesture, emphasizing the emotional toll of perceived unfairness.
• Piastri's Post-Race Pragmatism: After the race, Piastri adopted a more measured tone, stating he needed to review the replays and that "the two cars coming together, it’s never what we want." He confirmed he shared his views and expected further discussion with the team.

Between the lines:

This incident isn't just about a single race contact; it's about the psychological contract between a driver and their team, especially when both drivers are highly competitive. Coulthard's insights from his own career highlight how easily a driver can feel undervalued or unfairly treated if team orders or non-interventions don't seem balanced. While McLaren aims for fair play, the execution in a high-stakes racing scenario proved challenging, leading to clear discontent from one of its rising stars.

What's next:

McLaren will likely need to address this incident internally to ensure both Piastri and Norris feel respected and clear on team guidelines moving forward. The discussion around such incidents is crucial for maintaining team harmony and driver morale, especially as both drivers push for better results and a clearer pecking order within the team. How McLaren navigates these conversations will be key to managing a successful two-driver lineup in a highly competitive F1 season.