Brundle: McLaren Furious After Norris-Piastri Sprint Crash in Singapore

Former Formula 1 driver turned Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle has stated that McLaren will be “furious” following a collision between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint. The incident occurred as Norris attempted an inside move at Turn 5, resulting in both cars spinning out.

Norris had been chasing Piastri for fourth place throughout the 20-lap Sprint race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, a track renowned for its overtaking difficulties. On the last lap, Norris moved up the inside of his teammate but made contact when Piastri turned in, striking the Australian’s rear-right tire with his front-left wheel. Piastri’s car suffered significant damage that ended his race, while Norris recovered to finish eighth, scoring a single point.

Speaking during commentary, Brundle criticized the maneuver as “not smart.” He suggested that Norris likely mounted the kerb on the inside as the track narrowed, which caused him to slide into his teammate. “What was Oscar going to do? They are racers, but it wasn’t worth the risk just to swap positions in a Sprint,” Brundle said. He emphasized that finishing fourth or fifth would have made no difference to the team’s objectives, noting that the move cost McLaren eight potential championship points.

The collision reduced McLaren’s lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship battle to just 11 points. Following the crash, race stewards launched an investigation, summoning both drivers for a hearing. Norris immediately apologized over the team radio but maintained in his post-race interview that he believed the pass was clean. “I thought I was fully alongside. I just ran out of space at the apex but I was there,” he said.

Piastri appeared less concerned about the fallout, telling Sky Sports F1 that he was not “that bothered” because the Sprint only offered points for fourth and fifth place. However, he expressed sympathy for the team, noting the extra work required to repair both cars. Meanwhile, former world champion Jenson Button described Norris’s attempt as “a hell of a lunge,” adding that Norris’s confident post-race comments were somewhat defensive given the circumstances.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and chief executive Zak Brown avoided media interviews immediately after the session but are expected to speak ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix qualifying.