The overtake Lando Norris attempted on Oscar Piastri that resulted in the McLaren team-mates crashing on the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint was “not smart”, according to Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle.
Norris had narrowly trailed Piastri in a battle for fourth for most of the 20-lap race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where overtaking is extremely difficult.
Norris tried to go up the inside of Turn 5 on the final circuit, which led to a crash as Piastri turned in, with the Australian spun around as his rear-right tyre was struck by his team-mate’s front-left.
Piastri suffered damage that took him out of the race, while Norris was able to get going again and take the chequered flag in eighth for the final point.
Speaking on commentary immediately after the incident, Brundle said: “McLaren will be furious about that, on the final lap of a Sprint.
“Whether they were fourth or fifth, it would have made no difference to the team whatsoever.”
The difference between finishing fourth and fifth in a Sprint is only one point. McLaren were on course to collect nine points, but instead ended up taking just one and seeing their lead over Red Bull in the battle for third in the constructors’ standings cut to just 11 points.
The stewards launched an investigation into incident, which resulted both McLaren drivers being summoned for a hearing after the race.
Brundle suggested that reigning world champion Norris was largely responsible for the collision.
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Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok dissects who was at fault for the collision between the two McLaren’s which saw Oscar Piastri crash out of the Singapore GP Sprint race
“That was not smart, Lando. That was not smart at all,” Brundle said.
“I think Lando got on the kerb on the inside as the space pinched a little bit and that slid him even more into the side of his team-mate.
“It just wasn’t worth the risk. What was Oscar going to do? I know they’re racers. It just wasn’t worth taking the risk just to swap the two cars around in a Sprint.”
Norris insists pass was on
Norris immediately apologised to his team over the radio but insisted in his post-session interview that he thought the move was on.
The Brit said over team radio: “Sorry about that. Obviously I didn’t want that to happen but I thought I was fully alongside. I just ran out of space at the apex but I was there, so…”
Norris thought he was in position to pass his team-mate Piastri
Quizzed over in the incident in his post-race interview with Sky Sports F1, Norris added: “I’d rather just go back and review it.”
On whether he still believed “the move was on”, Norris said: “”It was.”
Piastri played down the incident, claiming he wasn’t “that bothered” due to the fact it was a Sprint event.
“I’ve not seen it properly,” the Australian told Sky Sports F1. “From where I sit, I’m not…it’s for fourth and fifth for a Sprint race so I’m not that bothered either way. Just obviously it’s a lot of work now for the team to get both cars fixed.
“Just a shame for the team.”
‘A hell of a lunge’
Sky Sports F1 pundit and former world champion Jenson Button described Norris’ move as “a hell of a lunge”.
Reflecting on Norris’ comments after the incident, Button said: “He was very bullish. Normally when you’re that bullish, you’re being defensive.
“It was a hell of a lunge. On your team-mate, at that moment in a race.
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Max Verstappen takes the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint win
“And the problem is the corner does tighten quite a lot at the apex, and he found himself in the side of his team-mate.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and chief executive Zak Brown opted not to do any interviews with the media immediately after the session, but are expected to speak either before or after Singapore Grand Prix qualifying later on Saturday.
Sky Sports F1’s live Singapore GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Singapore Grand Prix
Sunday October 11
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP reaction
4pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Singapore for the last Sprint weekend of the season with Sunday’s Grand Prix at 1pm (build-up from 11.30am) live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
