Piastri's expectations of Norris's Singapore penalty were 'quite low,' as F1 avoided 'silly manipulation'

Oscar Piastri's request for Lando Norris to hand back a position after their Singapore Grand Prix collision was deemed unlikely to be fulfilled, with former F1 driver Perry McCarthy stating that F1 and McLaren avoided appearing "pretty silly" by not manipulating the race outcome.

Why it matters:

McLaren's decision not to intervene underscores the sport's commitment to fair racing, even when inter-team rivalries flare. While Piastri felt aggrieved, the lack of team orders prevented a potentially controversial manipulation of race results, preserving the integrity of on-track competition and avoiding a perception of unfairness.

The details:

• During the Singapore Grand Prix, Piastri and Norris made contact at Turn 3 after Norris clipped Max Verstappen's Red Bull, creating a domino effect that led to the McLaren teammates banging wheels.
• Piastri immediately expressed frustration, believing Norris's move was ill-judged and requesting his teammate to hand back the position.
• Stewards reviewed the incident and determined no action was required, a decision McLaren upheld, denying Piastri's request while promising a post-race discussion.
• This incident follows a similar situation at the Italian Grand Prix where Piastri was asked to swap positions with Norris due to a slow pit stop.
• Perry McCarthy, a former F1 driver, noted that Piastri's expectations for a position swap in Singapore were "probably quite low," despite his attempt to gain an advantage.
• McCarthy emphasized that McLaren's refusal was justified, as both the FIA and the team judged the incident as fair racing. He added that manipulating the race in a difficult-to-overtake circuit like Singapore would have made F1 and McLaren appear "pretty silly."

Between the lines:

McCarthy dismissed suggestions that Piastri is experiencing a 'wobble' after recent incidents, including a crash in Azerbaijan qualifying and race. He highlighted the immense pressure on both Piastri and Norris, emphasizing that such moments are merely human reactions under intense scrutiny.

What's next:

With the championship battle intensifying, particularly between teammates, maintaining clear and consistent team policies will be crucial. McLaren's approach in Singapore signals a preference for letting drivers race, which could define the dynamics of their championship campaign as the season progresses.