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Zak Brown issues firm order to Norris and Piastri after Singapore sprint clash
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown confirmed he handed down a strict directive following a final-lap collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri during the Singapore Grand Prix sprint race.
By Nadia van Leeuwen - 2026-10-13T14:45:00.000Z - 3 min read
The Singapore Grand Prix weekend brought unexpected internal friction to the McLaren garage after teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri made contact during the closing stages of the sprint race. Entering Turn 5 on the final lap, Norris attempted an overtaking maneuver on his Australian teammate, resulting in an incident that compromised both drivers' positions. Piastri was forced into a retirement, while Norris salvaged a single championship point by crossing the finish line in eighth place.
Post-race investigations by the event stewards resulted in no official penalties being handed down, allowing the team to retain the lone point secured by Norris. However, the absence of sporting sanctions did little to shield the drivers from internal accountability. Away from the circuit, the team hierarchy moved quickly to address the collision, making their displeasure known to both competitors following the competitive session on Saturday evening.
Speaking to Martin Brundle on the starting grid ahead of Sunday's main Grand Prix, McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown shed light on the nature of the internal discussions. When asked about the conversations held with the drivers, Brown confirmed that clear boundaries had been established. He stated that the response amounted to a definitive directive rather than a polite request, emphasizing that such on-track incidents cannot be repeated.
Brown made no secret of his frustration regarding the avoidable loss of points, particularly given the intense competitive landscape in the constructors' championship. With the team locked in a fierce battle to catch Ferrari while remaining mindful of Red Bull's proximity behind them, he described the outcome as an unnecessary result born under high-pressure conditions. He added that the team would review the situation, acknowledging that both the drivers and the pit wall could have approached the situation differently.
The executive was not the only voice within the management structure to condemn the collision. Earlier on Saturday evening, team principal Andrea Stella spoke directly to Sky Sports, characterizing the maneuver between the two teammates as unacceptable. The swift alignment from both leadership figures underscored the seriousness with which the organization views internal racing incidents, especially during a crucial phase of the season.
Fortunately for the squad, the disruption remained contained to the Saturday sprint event. During Sunday's full Grand Prix, both cars successfully navigated the distance without further incident. Norris delivered a strong recovery to finish fourth, with Piastri securing fifth place right behind him.
The solid points haul on Sunday ensured that the team successfully protected their standing in the constructors' championship. Despite Max Verstappen taking a dominant victory for Red Bull in both the sprint and the main Grand Prix, McLaren managed to hold onto third position in the team standings as the championship moves forward.