The Canadian Grand Prix turned into a misfortune for McLaren’s Lando Norris after he collided with teammate Oscar Piastri, forcing Norris to retire and costing him valuable championship points. Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya criticized the FIA for not penalizing Norris for the incident, suggesting the governing body displayed nationality bias by sparing the British driver of any penalty points. This lack of action has intensified the ongoing debate surrounding fairness in penalty decisions among leading drivers.
Controversies Surrounding the Penalty Points System in Formula 1
In Formula 1, drivers can accumulate penalty points for on-track infractions, with a maximum of 11 points allowed within 12 months before triggering a race ban. Currently, Max Verstappen is on the verge of a race suspension after reaching the threshold of 11 points due to prior dangerous driving or collision incidents. Despite this, Lando Norris received no penalty points for his collision with Piastri at the Montreal race, raising questions about consistency in enforcing regulations.
Montoya Questions FIA’s Handling of Norris Incident
Juan Pablo Montoya condemned Norris’ reckless driving that caused the collision with Piastri but expressed dissatisfaction with the FIA’s response, emphasizing that such incidents usually warrant penalty points. Montoya explained that the rules should apply uniformly, without exceptions, and criticized the lack of consequences for Norris in this case.
“What Lando did was really stupid. It caused a collision. Either you penalize it or you don’t penalize it. Are there levels where you can receive a penalty without points? Normally, anyone who does something stupid gets points on their driver’s license.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
He cited Max Verstappen’s longstanding claims regarding possible nationality bias in penalty decisions, noting that Norris’ incident further supports the argument that some drivers may receive preferential treatment.
“This is what Max Verstappen always complains about, which is why he sometimes underlines the fact that nationality can make a difference in the eyes of the Commissioners.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
Comparing the Performances and Composure of Norris and Piastri
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri represent a formidable driver pairing for McLaren, both competing for the 2025 Formula 1 title. However, the Australian driver, Piastri, currently holds the advantage with five race wins compared to Norris’ two, demonstrating a steadier and more composed approach throughout the season. Montoya highlighted that while Norris often shows speed during qualifying, Piastri consistently performs better during critical moments, exposing Norris to higher risks of error.
“Oscar is always ready ‘to collect the pieces.’ Every weekend Norris seems faster, then the Q3 arrives and Piastri stands in front. At that point Norris puts himself in a position where he cannot go wrong and is the one in which you obviously make mistakes.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
Montoya argued that the intense pressure on Norris to keep up creates a narrow margin for mistakes, making him prone to errors, whereas Piastri capitalizes on consistency and calmness to maintain his lead.
Implications of the Canadian GP Incident for Norris’ Championship Prospects
The collision at the Canadian GP dealt a significant setback to Norris’ championship campaign after losing crucial points and confidence. Despite his greater experience in Formula 1, Norris has struggled to match the pace and composure of Piastri this season. The incident adds to a growing list of challenges he must overcome to remain competitive. Observers expect that how Norris responds in upcoming races will be critical for his championship hopes as fans hope he can recover and regain momentum quickly.