Lando Norris Gets 'Mario Kart' Quip After Piastri's Crash

During the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race, George Russell light-heartedly accused Lando Norris of a 'Mario Kart' move after Norris's McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, crashed out. Norris had run wide at Turn 3, kicking up water onto the track just moments before Piastri lost control at the same corner.

Why it matters:

This incident adds an interesting, albeit accidental, layer to the already intense rivalry between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. With Piastri now trailing Norris by nine points in the championship and only four races left in the 2025 season, every point and every perceived advantage—even an unintentional one—takes on greater significance in their internal battle.

The details:

• Oscar Piastri retired from the sprint race on Lap 6 after crashing into the barrier at Turn 3, a long left-hander.
• Following Piastri, Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine driver Franco Colapinto also lost control at the same corner.
• Replays confirmed that race leader Lando Norris, who went on to win the sprint, inadvertently played a role by running wide at Turn 3 and spraying water onto the racing line.
• Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli's team radio communication highlighted Norris's action: "Norris hit the kerb and a lot of water went on line."
• Norris admitted post-race that he noticed the water on the track after his mistake, emphasizing that he aimed to avoid kerbs in damp conditions, a common practice in wet races.
• George Russell, who finished third, humorously remarked that Norris was 'the smartest guy on the grid,' comparing his action to throwing a banana peel in Mario Kart.

The big picture:

This incident comes at a crucial point in the 2025 season where Piastri is under pressure to regain momentum. He hasn't secured a victory since the Dutch Grand Prix in August and has been off the podium for the last four rounds. The championship gap to Norris, which was in Piastri's favor for most of the season, has now widened, making every remaining race critical for his title aspirations.

What's next:

Piastri is focused on bouncing back from this setback, emphasizing the importance of securing a strong starting position in the upcoming main race where more points are available. The remaining races of the 2025 season will be pivotal for both McLaren drivers as their head-to-head battle continues to heat up.