McLaren has decided to maintain its policy of allowing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to race freely for the Formula 1 championship, despite their collision at the Canadian Grand Prix. The incident, which occurred during a battle for fourth place, has sparked discussions within the team about how to prevent future occurrences while still promoting competitive racing.

Incident Overview

During the final laps of the Canadian GP, Lando Norris attempted to overtake his teammate Oscar Piastri, resulting in a collision that damaged both cars. Norris accepted full responsibility for the incident, which left Piastri extending his championship lead while Norris failed to score any points.

Team's Response

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella emphasized the importance of maintaining parity and equality between the drivers. "We want to give Lando and Oscar opportunities to race and opportunities to be at the end of the season in the position that they deserve to be in," Stella stated. He also mentioned that the team would have detailed discussions to ensure such incidents are minimized in the future.

Future Strategies

Stella highlighted that while the team supports free racing, they will also enforce more caution among the drivers to avoid similar mishaps. "The principles we have require more caution by our drivers," he added. The team is committed to supporting both drivers equally, ensuring that their performances are reflected in their championship standings without the need for team orders.

Driver Support

Despite the setback, Stella assured that Norris has the full support of the team. "It's full support to Lando. We will have conversations and the conversations may be even tough. But there's no doubt over the support we give to Lando," he said. Norris, known for his emotional openness, is expected to use this experience to strengthen his driving skills.

Looking Ahead

With 14 races remaining in the season, the competition is still wide open. Piastri currently leads with five wins compared to Norris's two. The next race in Austria will be a crucial test for McLaren's strategy and the drivers' ability to manage their competitive spirit responsibly.