McLaren Lifts Norris Sanctions After Piastri Confirms 'Clean Slate'

Oscar Piastri has revealed that McLaren has removed the intra-team penalties imposed on Lando Norris, confirming a 'clean slate' for both drivers heading into the final races of the season. This decision follows a chaotic Turn 1 incident at the US GP Sprint that saw both McLaren cars eliminated.

Why it matters:

After a tense period marked by internal team penalties and on-track collisions, McLaren's decision to reset the dynamic between Norris and Piastri signals a critical shift. With Max Verstappen rapidly closing in on Piastri's championship lead, the team needs both drivers to maximize points without inter-team conflict. This move aims to refocus McLaren on securing their constructors' position and supporting Piastri's title bid, ensuring a united front against rivals.

The details:

• Original Sanctions: Following contact between Norris and Piastri in Singapore, Norris faced minor intra-team penalties. These reportedly included a system allowing Piastri to choose the order of cars leaving the garage in qualifying, designed to prevent further clashes.
• Austin Incident: A chaotic Turn 1 crash in the Austin Sprint saw both McLaren cars retired. Piastri acknowledged his responsibility in the incident, which occurred after he first collided with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber before making contact with Norris.
• Clean Slate Confirmed: Piastri confirmed, "We're starting this weekend with a clean slate for both of us." He added that "the consequences on Lando’s side have been removed," indicating a team decision to move past the previous incidents.
• Championship Impact: The double DNF in Austin was a significant setback. Max Verstappen capitalized by winning both the Sprint and Grand Prix, cutting into Piastri's championship lead. Piastri now holds a 14-point advantage over Norris, with Verstappen only 40 points adrift.
• "Papaya Rules": Despite recent clashes, Piastri emphasized that McLaren's internal rules remain clear: "don’t crash into each other. That’s how you’re expected to race as teammates."

The big picture:

McLaren faces intense scrutiny as the season enters its crucial final stages. With five Grand Prix and two Sprint races remaining, the narrow margins in the championship mean every point is vital. The team's priority is now firmly on maximizing performance and ensuring both drivers contribute to their overall objectives without internal friction. This 'clean slate' is a clear message from McLaren that past incidents are behind them, and the focus is solely on the championship fight.

What's next:

Piastri is drawing on his past experiences in high-pressure championship battles, citing his 2020 Formula 3 and 2019 Formula Renault title wins as evidence of his ability to maintain composure under pressure. While acknowledging that past success doesn't guarantee future results, he believes these experiences provide valuable insight into handling the current situation. The emphasis for McLaren and its drivers is now on consistent performance and avoiding any further incidents that could jeopardize their championship aspirations as Verstappen continues to close in.