Oscar Piastri has addressed the late-race battle with McLaren teammate Lando Norris during the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The incident, which occurred on the final lap, saw Norris overtake Piastri for fourth position.
The Australian driver had been running in fourth place for a significant portion of the race before Norris’s decisive move. Piastri ultimately crossed the finish line in fifth position.
Norris initially voiced frustration over team radio on Lap 51, claiming Piastri had forced him off the track. He described the manoeuvre as “very dangerous” at the time.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella later stated the team would review the incident. However, Stella also indicated that initial analysis suggested Norris’s moment on the grass was “benign.”
Following the race, Norris softened his stance, acknowledging the need to review the footage. He ultimately concluded that Piastri had not committed any wrongdoing during their intense duel.
‘I have to go and see. I don’t think so, honestly. It’s just when you’re in the car, things happen very quickly,’ Norris said. ‘I kind of went to the left and he started to come back to the right and then straightens up. So sometimes you get a feeling or something. But I don’t think he did anything wrong.’
Piastri described the contest as a “good battle” with considerable back-and-forth action. He also noted that he had been involved in similar skirmishes with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton earlier in the Grand Prix.
The McLaren drivers were engaged in a strategic fight, particularly concerning battery deployment in the closing stages. Piastri admitted it was challenging to manage energy usage effectively.
Piastri’s race began from sixth on the grid after receiving a three-place penalty for impeding Liam Lawson during qualifying. He had originally qualified in third position.
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix was won by Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, who started 19th. His teammate George Russell secured second place, with Max Verstappen completing the podium in third.
Norris, who started eighth, expressed dissatisfaction with McLaren’s overall performance at Monza. He highlighted concerns regarding the team’s qualifying pace and general speed.
The result at Monza sees Antonelli extend his lead in the Drivers’ Championship by 66 points over Russell. Formula 1 now moves to the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid from September 11-13.
