Lando Norris Raises Concerns Over Lap-One Pass from Teammate Oscar Piastri at Italian Grand Prix

McLaren’s Lando Norris expressed his unease over the daring lap-one pass by his teammate Oscar Piastri at the Italian Grand Prix, stating that the Australian driver “got way too close for comfort” during the audacious move.

Norris, who started from pole position, defended his lead into the first chicane, but a compromised exit left him vulnerable to Piastri’s attack on the run towards the second chicane. The Australian made a stunning pass around the outside to claim the lead, forcing Norris to take evasive action to avoid contact.

While Piastri’s pass was executed to perfection, Norris felt that his teammate had pushed the limits of their “papaya rules,” which require drivers to exercise extra caution when racing each other. Team boss Andrea Stella had emphasized the importance of these guidelines on Saturday, and Norris believed that Piastri had come too close to disaster.

“There was a big gap behind and between us two cars, there’s no risk – I feel like he got way too close for comfort,” Norris said in an interview with Sky Sports F1. “We both easily could have been out in that corner if I brake one meter later.”

Norris didn’t blame Piastri for the pass itself but acknowledged that he could have done things differently. His defensive actions had left him out of shape at the exit, allowing Charles Leclerc to overtake him for second place.

When asked about McLaren’s rules of engagement and what he could have done differently, Norris replied, “Just don’t crash, that’s all. There was no contact, so he did a good job. [I could] just brake a bit later, but sometimes it’s easier said than done.”

Piastri, on the other hand, saw no issues with his pass, saying, “I braked later and got around the outside. There wasn’t really much more to it than that. We both got through unscathed.”

Despite the early drama, both McLarens ultimately finished on the podium, with Piastri taking second place and Norris securing third. Leclerc’s bold one-stop strategy earned him the win, while Norris clawed back crucial points to sixth-placed Max Verstappen, reducing his deficit to 62 points with eight Formula 1 races remaining.

In the Formula 1 standings, Norris remains a strong contender, and his performance at the Italian Grand Prix demonstrates his commitment to scoring points. As the Formula 1 season enters its final stretch, fans can expect more thrilling battles between Norris and his rivals.

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