Oscar Piastri has clarified that he and teammate Lando Norris remain free to compete against each other on track following their collision during the Canadian Grand Prix. The incident occurred at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve while the pair were fighting for fourth position, impacting their championship battle.

During the race, Norris collided with the rear of Piastri’s car, resulting in Norris retiring while Piastri continued to finish fourth, extending his lead in the drivers’ standings by 22 points. Despite the crash, team dynamics at McLaren remained professional, as Norris accepted responsibility for the collision and promptly apologized to Piastri.

Drivers maintain open competition, says Piastri

Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Piastri addressed the situation, emphasizing that there are no restrictions on how he and Norris race each other despite the recent clash. He described the aftermath candidly, noting that their conversation took place partly en route to the stewards‘ room.

“It was fine. Half of it was on the way to the stewards’ room so that was fun,”

Piastri said during the FIA press conference in Austria.

“All good. We spoke about it honestly before we even got back to the team. Lando put his hands up and apologised. All good and looking forward to going racing again.”

When asked about McLaren’s team orders—or the lack thereof—Piastri firmly stated there are no special rules limiting their wheel-to-wheel battles.

“No. Same as always. Obviously, what happened in Canada wasn’t ideal but we’re still free to race. We’re still fighting for a championship each. Keep going racing and make sure that we obviously don’t come into contact again.”

The importance of unity within McLaren’s championship fight

Piastri’s perspective on internal team relations is shaped in part by the experience of his manager, Mark Webber, who faced a high-profile rivalry with teammate Sebastian Vettel during the 2010 season. That season saw several conflicts and strategic decisions, including a notable on-track crash in Turkey and controversial equipment upgrades favoring Vettel at times.

Piastri distinguished his and Norris’s situation from those past conflicts, highlighting differences in personalities and team dynamics. He regarded the Canadian GP incident as an isolated misjudgment rather than a sign of larger tension.

“I think just the situation is very different. I think Lando and I are very different people to Mark and Seb,”

Piastri explained.

He added that the Canadian incident did not require extensive internal debate because Norris quickly accepted fault and apologized.

Piastri also acknowledged that a close competition between him and Norris was expected from the outset of the season, as both drivers target the championship. Their ongoing rivalry is viewed as a natural part of their careers rather than a disruptive force.

He emphasized their shared goal beyond a single season, aiming for a long-term presence in Formula 1 with continued opportunities to compete for titles.

“I think that’s still at the forefront of our minds, and we want this success for years to come. Having the team united is a very simple way of doing that.”

Looking ahead to the Austrian Grand Prix and beyond

As the championship battle advances to Austria, both Piastri and Norris appear determined to maintain their competitive edge without compromising team cohesion. The freedom granted by McLaren to race openly suggests confidence in their professionalism and maturity.

This approach could prove critical as both drivers seek to maximize their championship chances while avoiding further costly collisions. Maintaining unity within the team is likely to play a key role in McLaren’s performance for the remainder of the Formula 1 season.