McLaren’s Singapore Grand Prix turned from triumph to turmoil as Oscar Piastri erupted in fury after colliding with teammate Lando Norris on the opening lap. The Australian’s frustration boiled over when Norris clipped his car while making an ambitious move into Turn 3, an incident that not only cost McLaren internal harmony but also narrowed Piastri’s championship lead to 22 points. Despite the drama, Norris’s third-place finish secured McLaren back-to-back Constructors’ titles — though celebrations were overshadowed by controversy.
Piastri, who had started ahead of Norris, felt he was unfairly forced toward the barriers as his teammate pushed through aggressively. While the stewards ruled the clash a “racing incident,” Piastri voiced his anger over team radio, calling Norris’s actions “not very team-like.” The usually composed Australian went on to question McLaren’s refusal to order a position swap, arguing that Norris’s move was reckless and unworthy of championship-caliber teamwork.
To make matters worse, a sluggish 5.2-second pit stop later in the race extinguished Piastri’s hopes of reclaiming the podium, leaving him just two seconds behind Norris at the checkered flag. The costly delay compounded his frustration, with many speculating that the internal friction could impact McLaren’s late-season form. Still, Piastri chose restraint post-race, praising the team’s collective effort and historic title success, even while admitting that discussions about the incident were far from over.
When asked about the clash, Norris remained unapologetic, insisting that his maneuver was justified. “Anyone on the grid would’ve done exactly what I did,” he said confidently. “If putting my car in a gap is a fault, then you shouldn’t be in Formula 1.” His response only added fuel to the growing narrative of tension between the McLaren teammates, whose battle for the 2025 championship has become increasingly personal.
Meanwhile, George Russell dominated the race from pole to claim his ninth career victory for Mercedes, with Max Verstappen finishing second. As the dust settles, McLaren’s internal rivalry threatens to overshadow their on-track excellence, setting the stage for a volatile final stretch of the season — one that could define not just Piastri’s title hopes, but the very balance of power within Formula 1’s most compelling team.
