Jenson Button Suggests Possible Penalty for Lando Norris After McLaren Sanction

Lando Norris is facing undisclosed 'repercussions' from McLaren after an incident with teammate Oscar Piastri at the Singapore Grand Prix. While the team did not intervene during the race, discussions between Norris, Piastri, and team principals Andrea Stella and Zak Brown led to Norris accepting accountability and sanctions for the remainder of the season.

Why it matters:

This internal disciplinary action highlights McLaren's commitment to maintaining team harmony and managing fierce intra-team rivalry, especially as both drivers are critical to the team's ongoing resurgence. The secrecy surrounding the penalty has fueled speculation, underscoring the delicate balance F1 teams must strike between driver competition and team objectives.

The Details:

• The Incident: On the opening lap of the Singapore GP, Norris made light contact with Piastri's car while making a move. Although the team did not intervene during the race, the incident was addressed privately.
• Norris's Acceptance: Lando Norris acknowledged the team's decision to hold him 'accountable' as 'fair' and accepted the undisclosed sanctions.
• Team Secrecy: Both Norris and Piastri have been tight-lipped about the specific nature of the 'repercussions,' adding to the intrigue.

Between the lines:

Former F1 champion Jenson Button offered a theory on Sky Sports F1 regarding the potential penalty. He believes Norris's sanction could involve ceding priority to Piastri in critical race decisions, particularly pit strategy.

• Pit Stop Priority: Button speculated that Piastri might be given the first choice on pit stop timing, which can significantly influence race outcomes.
• Team Orders: Button emphasized that drivers are always instructed not to collide with teammates, especially when fighting for crucial positions. He noted that such an internal penalty, rather than a simple reprimand, suggests the seriousness with which McLaren views the incident.

What's next:

Adding to the discussion, F1 pundit Martin Brundle suggested that Piastri could benefit from priority in other strategic areas, particularly in a 'development race' or qualifying.

• Development Priority: Brundle suggested that if McLaren were in a development race, Piastri might receive new parts first.
• Qualifying Slipstream: Another possibility Brundle raised is that Piastri could be given priority for a slipstream in qualifying. This type of intra-team arrangement would not offer an advantage to rival teams, keeping the competitive edge within McLaren while still imposing a consequence on Norris.
• Team Philosophy: McLaren's general philosophy allows drivers to race hard from start to finish, with the crucial proviso of 'don't run into each other.' The consequences for breaking this rule are now being seen in action.

While the exact nature of the 'repercussions' remains under wraps, the consensus among experts like Button and Brundle points to strategic disadvantages for Norris designed to benefit Piastri, ensuring that the penalty impacts the team internally without compromising McLaren's competitive standing against other teams.