Lando Norris reflects on 'embarrassing' Montreal crash with Piastri and his 'fair' championship-winning ethos

Lando Norris has opened up about the moment he "embarrassed myself" with a late-race crash into teammate Oscar Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix, while defending his "fair" driving standards that he believes were key to his 2024 championship victory. The McLaren driver reflected on his season-long philosophy, suggesting that while he could have been more aggressive, he performed when it mattered most to secure the title.

Why it matters:

Norris's candid reflection on his championship season provides insight into the mindset of a modern F1 champion, balancing raw speed with personal racing ethics. His admission of error in Montreal, a rare intra-team collision that cost him points, highlights the fine line drivers walk between calculated aggression and costly mistakes, even in a dominant year.

The details:

• The incident occurred on the approach to Turn 1 in Montreal, where Norris misjudged an overtaking move on the inside, colliding with Piastri and the pit wall, resulting in his immediate retirement.
• The crash cost Norris 12 points to his teammate, widening the gap between them to 22 points early in the season.
• This was one of only two notable moments of contact between the McLaren drivers all season, the other being a robust but clean pass for third place by Norris on Piastri at the start in Singapore.
• Norris firmly believes he won the championship "my way—by being a fair driver, by trying to be an honest driver," acknowledging he could have been more aggressive at times but chose not to compromise his personal ethos.

The big picture:

Norris's championship narrative is one of consistency and peak performance under pressure rather than relentless aggression. He points to his post-Zandvoort comeback and a string of strong results as the defining periods where he delivered what was needed to claim the title. His analysis suggests a deliberate, measured approach that prioritized sustainable performance over race-by-race daring, a strategy that ultimately paid off against rivals who may have shown more outright aggression but less consistency.

What's next:

While celebrating a title won on his own terms, Norris admits there are "plenty of moments to learn from," including the Montreal mishap. His reflection indicates a driver who, despite reaching the pinnacle, is still evaluating his approach. The question for 2025 will be whether this balanced, fair philosophy remains his template or if the experience of winning a championship empowers him to incorporate slightly more calculated aggression into his racing repertoire.