Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri avoided penalties following their collision on the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix sprint race. Formula 1 stewards deemed both McLaren drivers contributed to the incident at Turn 5 on Saturday, October 10, 2026, and neither was predominantly to blame. The contact occurred as Norris attempted an optimistic pass on his teammate.
The McLaren drivers were battling for fourth and fifth positions, chasing Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari for a potential podium finish. Piastri’s car was forced into the wall, resulting in his retirement from the sprint race. Norris managed to recover, ultimately finishing eighth and securing a single championship point.
Team Principal Andrea Stella expressed significant disappointment regarding the incident. Stella stated that seeing two McLarens make contact on track is ‘simply not acceptable’. He emphasised that the team’s interests must always supersede individual driver ambitions.
The stewards’ report detailed both drivers’ perspectives. Piastri, in Car 81, explained he did not anticipate Norris’s overtake attempt. He stated he tried to leave space upon noticing Car 1 on the inside after turning in.
Norris, driving Car 1, indicated he saw an opportunity to overtake. He believed his front axle was ahead of Piastri’s mirror before the apex, expecting space. However, the gap narrowed, forcing him to brake and use the inside kerb, leading to the collision.
The incident cost McLaren valuable points in the Constructors’ Championship. The team was on course for nine points but secured only one. This allowed Red Bull to close within 11 points of McLaren in the standings.
McLaren currently sits third in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship with 317 points. Mercedes leads with 561 points, followed by Ferrari at 418. Red Bull is fourth with 306 points after the Singapore sprint.
The ‘Papaya Rules’, McLaren’s internal guidelines for driver engagement, have been a significant topic. These rules were refined for the 2026 season to avoid previous ‘headaches’ but maintain equal opportunities for both drivers.
Norris and Piastri have had previous on-track clashes, including incidents during the 2025 Canadian and Singapore Grands Prix. Andrea Stella confirmed that private discussions would be held with both drivers to reinforce team principles.
Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix sprint race for Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton finished second for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc completing the podium in third. Kimi Antonelli secured fourth for Mercedes.
Other notable finishers included Liam Lawson in fifth for Racing Bulls and Oliver Bearman in sixth for Haas. Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh for Audi. George Russell retired from the sprint race after crashing out on the first lap.
‘Very simply, it is unacceptable that two McLarens ever come together on track. This is a fundamental principle of how we go racing, and something both drivers are very well aware of,’ Stella stated.
Norris later apologised to the team for the collision, acknowledging his role as the attacking driver. Piastri also confirmed that both drivers had discussed the incident and moved on.
