The starting collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Singapore Grand Prix is also the dominant topic in Austin. After McLaren team boss Andrea Stella spoke of “consequences” towards Norris, there is now strong criticism from Formula 1 expert Timo Glock.
“I have no idea what these statements are about. My opinion is: Either I say clearly to the outside world what’s going on, or I don’t say anything at all,” the DTM driver rumbles on Sky. “When you have these ‘Papaya Rules’, you keep them to yourself. But this ‘Yes, there was something’ and ‘We did something’… that’s complete nonsense!”
Stella and the McLaren drivers said on Thursday in Austin that there had been “consequences”, but without revealing what they were. “Apparently they cut Lando’s pocket money,” laughs Glock.
He continues his criticism: “I have no idea what this little theater is supposed to do to the outside world. Either I keep my mouth shut – or I make myself vulnerable. The rest are laughing their heads off. Max Verstappen takes this with a kiss and says: “Colleagues, just argue – I’ll be right there if you get in the car again.”
That’s not the only thing he criticizes. He considers the fact that such a small touch was the subject of a complete internal team investigation to be completely ridiculous: “He’s racing for the World Cup. So should he wave him over? This whole topic of ‘We all love each other’ and ‘We talk about it in a circle’… I have no idea – I have to honestly say that I’m starting to have doubts.”
“The fact is: the two of them are racing for the World Championship, and everyone will give everything. Lando Norris has to do that. And then there is the issue of whether Oscar Piastri will think again about what he did in Monza – giving up this place, giving up these points, just because the team made a mistake at the pit stop.”
Glock’s analysis: racing accident
The scene would probably not be as hyped up if McLaren didn’t try to control the world championship fight from A to Z. Glock ultimately sees the collision as a racing accident: “Lando Norris was next to him and kept his nose clean. The issue, of course, is that it is always a bit hectic at the beginning of the race. You can see that the cars were very nervous.”
“From Norris’ point of view: slightly damp track, he holds on to it on the inside, but has no other option, is a little surprised by Max Verstappen’s braking maneuver and then loses the rear. Actually there was enough space, but when he loses the rear, there is contact and Lando Norris gets through.”
In the dynamic surrounding the World Cup title, Glock sees Singapore as a point win for Norris: “In the position that Lando Norris is in, you as a teammate have to show: ‘Colleague, I’m here, I’m wide awake.’ This is important.”
“The question is what happens to Oscar Piastri’s mental strength. You always think that he never has a pulse over 100, but you slowly notice – because of what happened in the last few races – that he is also becoming a little more restless.”
Four races continue on the American continent before the decision comes with two races in the Middle East. The question is not only which driver has the upper hand, but also how much control McLaren wants to exert in the championship fight. Or, maybe Max Verstappen will be the third laughing one in the end…