Oscar Piastri Praised for Spot-On Move in Lando Norris Crash

Oscar Piastri earned high praise after executing a decisive move during the Canadian Grand Prix, where he was involved in his first on-track collision with teammate Lando Norris. The two McLaren drivers clashed as the race neared its end in Montreal, with Norris pushing hard to overtake Piastri for fourth place.

Norris made contact with the rear of Piastri’s car, causing damage that forced his own early retirement from the race. Meanwhile, Piastri managed to maintain his composure and secure fourth position.

Former racing driver Davide Valsecchi described Piastri’s actions as the “perfect move,” highlighting how the Australian’s defensive approach set up the situation. According to Valsecchi, Piastri opened his line just enough to draw Norris into an error, ultimately causing the crash.

Although the battle between Norris and Piastri was only for two additional points, it has now impacted the McLaren drivers’ standings. Piastri’s victory in the duel allowed him to extend his lead over Norris in the championship.

After Montreal, Piastri sits 22 points ahead of Norris. The details of the move show Piastri’s awareness in not giving away space on the inside, making the pass difficult and contributing to Norris’s costly mistake.

Norris accepted responsibility for the incident, stating afterwards that the misjudgment was his. Meanwhile, Valsecchi suggested that the moment could be crucial for Piastri’s mindset in the title race, despite it not being his strongest overall race of the year.

He pointed out that, while Piastri may have appeared to defend slowly, the intention was to force Norris into a place with no options. As a result, Piastri not only defended his position but also turned the incident into a significant moment that might be regarded as a turning point in the fight for the championship.

The Canadian Grand Prix proved to be eventful for McLaren, with both teammates vying for track position late in the race. McLaren now leads the Constructors’ standings in 2025, with a combined 374 points from both drivers.

Individually, Piastri has collected 198 points so far, compared to Norris’s 176. Other leading contenders in the title fight include Max Verstappen with 155 and George Russell with 136.

Reactions in the paddock highlighted the pressure inside the McLaren camp, with team bosses hoping both drivers can avoid further collisions as the season continues. Analysis of the incident has sparked conversation regarding team orders, racecraft, and the importance of clear on-track communication between teammates.

The result in Montreal left McLaren with a valuable points haul overall, but the rivalry between their drivers is likely to shape the narrative for the rest of the year.

Looking forward, attention is turning to the upcoming races at the Red Bull Ring on June 29 and Silverstone on July 6. Both McLaren drivers remain in strong contention for wins, and the next rounds may play a key role in determining who emerges as the leading driver within the team and the wider title battle.

With Piastri currently enjoying his best championship standing yet, the pressure is firmly on Norris to respond and close the points gap in the coming weeks, building on the momentum McLaren showed recently at Monaco.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.