Lando Norris expressed deep regret after colliding with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri during the intense closing stages of the Canadian Grand Prix. The 25-year-old British driver admitted he 'made a fool' of himself in the incident, which has widened the points gap between him and Piastri in the championship race.

The Incident

Norris, utilizing the DRS overtaking aid, attempted to pass Piastri on the inside line into Turn One. However, Piastri did not leave enough space for the maneuver, resulting in Norris clipping the back of Piastri's car. This collision caused Norris to break his suspension after hitting the pit wall, forcing him to retire from the race. Piastri, fortunately, continued without significant damage.

Norris' Reflection

'I didn't expect to pass Oscar on the outside into Turn One,' Norris said. 'I should never have gone for it. I thought he was drifting a bit to the right, so I thought I had a small opportunity to go to the left. But it was way too much risk, especially on my teammate. I'm happy nothing happened to him. I paid the price for my mistake.'

Team Dynamics

McLaren has been promoting fair competition between their drivers this season, and despite the incident, they have pledged to continue allowing such close racing. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasized the importance of Norris taking immediate responsibility for the collision, which helped defuse any potential tension within the team.

Championship Implications

The collision has left Norris 22 points behind Piastri in the championship standings. However, with 14 races still to go, Norris remains optimistic. 'Plenty more races left. I don't expect it to be easy. I don't expect to catch him easily. But I have to work hard for it and make fewer mistakes than I did this weekend,' Norris added.

Moving Forward

Norris' incident raises questions about his current state of mind and form this season. Despite being McLaren's leading driver last year, he has struggled to match Piastri's performance this season. McLaren introduced a small suspension tweak in Canada to address Norris' issues with the car's front axle feel, but it remains to be seen if this will help him regain his form.

Conclusion

While the collision was a setback for Norris, his immediate acceptance of fault and commitment to improvement demonstrate his resilience. McLaren's supportive approach ensures that both drivers can continue to compete fiercely while maintaining team harmony.