Yesterday at 06:30
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has stated his team will throw
full support behind Lando Norris following his clash with Oscar
Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix. Norris was chasing Piastri for
fourth place at the Montreal race but hit the rear of his
team-mate's car. While Piastri was able to continue to the
chequered flag, Norris sustained terminal damage and was forced to
retire - marking his first non-score of the season. It leaves him
22 points off the championship lead entering the 11th round of the
campaign from Austria. Stella voiced support for his driver as he
acknowledged Norris' confidence may have taken a knock in the
clash. "This may have an impact in terms of his confidence, but
it's up to us as a team to show our full support to Lando," Stella
told media including RacingNews365 . "And on this one I want to be
completely clear, it's full support to Lando. "We will have
conversations, and the conversations may be even tough. "But
there's no doubt over the support we give to Lando and over the
fact that we will preserve our parity and equality in terms of how
we go racing at McLaren between our two drivers." Norris
immediately took the blame for the collision and apologised to his
team over his radio. Stella suggested matters would have played out
differently behind the scenes if Norris had not admitted fault.
"The situation would be different if Lando had not taken
responsibility and apologised," Stella said. "Lando himself will
have to show his character to overcome this kind of episode, make
sure that he only takes the learnings, he only takes what will make
him a stronger driver."
