Two weeks ago in Canada, Lando Norris apologized for crashing into his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, and the two almost repeated the incident at the Austrian Grand Prix while battling for the lead. Norris was aggressive in Canada, seeking a non-existent gap, while in Austria, they were clear of the field and allowed to fight fairly for victory. Piastri was on Norris’ tail after passing Charles Leclerc, nearly crashing into him at Turn 4 during a move for first.
After the race engineer called the Turn 4 move “too marginal,” suggesting a reference to McLaren’s ‘Papaya Rules,’ Piastri accepted the decision. McLaren has been commended for allowing their drivers to battle, showcasing their competitiveness at the forefront of the season. Team principal Andrea Stella praised the drivers’ performance and highlighted the team’s ethos of fostering competition while maintaining respect and teamwork. This intensifies the exciting rivalry between teammates and puts McLaren ahead in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.
