F1 Stewards Issue Surprising Penalty to Lando Norris After Piastri Clash

Lando Norris has been given a five-second time penalty by Formula 1 stewards after being found responsible for a collision with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri near the end of the Canadian Grand Prix. The incident occurred on lap 67 of the 70-lap race as both drivers were pushing hard to secure valuable championship points.

Although Norris retired from the race following the crash, he was still classified in the official results, allowing the stewards to issue the post-race penalty.

The clash unfolded during a fierce contest on the start-finish straight. Norris had executed an impressive overtake on Piastri at the hairpin on lap 66, briefly moving ahead as the two drivers battled.

As they accelerated onto the main straight, Norris aimed for a small gap to the left of Piastri’s car. Misjudging the available space, Norris clipped the left-rear tyre of Piastri’s MCL39.

The contact forced Norris into the wall, ending his race just three laps short of the checkered flag. Piastri, on the other hand, was able to continue without any damage to his car.

After reviewing video footage and hearing from both drivers, the stewards determined that Norris was solely at fault. They stated that Norris believed there might have been space for the move but recognized too late that there was none.

While the collision ended Norris’s race, it did not significantly impact Piastri’s result. Because the accident did not create an immediate sporting advantage or disadvantage, officials chose a five-second penalty as the appropriate response.

This type of penalty is unusual since it was applied to a driver who did not finish the race but was still classified due to completing the required percentage of laps.

The championship standings remain tight, with Oscar Piastri leading the drivers’ table for McLaren on 198 points following the Canadian Grand Prix. Norris is close behind in second place with 176 points.

McLaren has also extended its lead in the team standings, now holding 374 points ahead of rivals Mercedes and Ferrari.

The Canadian Grand Prix also saw other significant storylines, including Red Bull protesting the race win by Mercedes’ George Russell and investigations into separate racing incidents. More on the Russell clash can be found here.

The finish keeps the 2025 F1 season alive with ongoing tension not just among leading drivers, but also among top teams.

As the campaign heads to upcoming races in Austria, Britain, and Belgium, teams and drivers will be focusing on maximizing their points amid growing competition.

McLaren’s handling of the Norris and Piastri clash has been closely watched, but both drivers affirmed their commitment to the team after the race. Piastri confirmed there would be no changes in team dynamics, while Norris issued a public apology.

With the next race at the Red Bull Ring scheduled for June 29, both McLaren drivers will be striving to move past their Canadian collision and focus on maintaining their positions at the top of the F1 standings. For perspectives on similar incidents and driver reactions, see Verstappen shutting down clash questions here.

The season remains intense, with drivers like Lewis Hamilton also drawing verdicts in other recent races, highlighting the competitive nature of the 2025 calendar. Detailed analysis is available on the Lewis Hamilton verdict here.