McLaren’s Minefield: Was Lando Norris’s Move a Stroke of Genius or a Crash Waiting to Happen?
The Canadian Grand Prix delivered drama not from the front of the grid, but from within the same garage. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri — two young, hungry talents chasing their first-ever World Championship — collided in a moment that could define their seasons. Norris, in pursuit of Piastri for fourth place, misjudged an overtake, tagged the rear of his teammate, and crashed out. Piastri survived, but the message was clear: McLaren’s no-team-orders policy has finally backfired.
And now, the paddock is divided. Was it a bold show of ambition from Lando? Or the first crack in a papaya-colored dream?
What They Said
Lando Norris owned the incident immediately:
“I misjudged it… it was all my mistake. I take full blame.”
“I thought Oscar would move a bit more to the right… I just misjudged it.”
“I should never have gone for it. That was stupid from my side.”
Norris’s tone was serious, regretful — but also revealing. This wasn’t just a racing incident. It was a miscalculation under pressure.
Oscar Piastri, ever composed, responded with calm:
“Just felt a small touch… a shame for the team.”
“I’m not going to accuse Lando of bad intentions… just unfortunate.”
It’s clear there’s no bad blood — yet. But trust, once shaken, rarely comes back at full strength.
Norris’s Move: Brave or Desperate?
Let’s break it down.
Norris was faster for most of the weekend. He had the pace. He had DRS. But in a tight Turn 1 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with both drivers fighting for top-five finishes, the move reeked more of desperation than dominance.
He was trailing Piastri in the standings. The race offered a rare chance to close the gap. But in trying to prove a point, he lost all of them.
Should the "Papaya Rules" Be Rewritten?
Zak Brown has long allowed his drivers to race freely — a refreshing contrast to the rigidity of Red Bull or Ferrari. But when both drivers are in a title hunt, freedom without boundaries can quickly turn into chaos.
Here’s what should have happened:
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Lando could have waited another lap — he had the tyre advantage and better exit speeds.
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A clear team communication strategy should have been in place to manage intra-team attacks.
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At minimum, McLaren should have defined what “racing fairly” really means in a championship context.
Letting them race is great for fans — until it blows up the team’s entire campaign.
Is Zak Brown’s Management Style the Problem?
It’s easy to praise freedom when results are good. But the lack of clear racecraft boundaries within McLaren has now put them on the edge. Both Norris and Piastri are first-time World Championship contenders. They’ve never been in this deep. They’re competitive, confident, and aggressive.
Brown’s hands-off approach may have worked in 2023 and 2024. But 2025? It’s championship or bust. And in that arena, chaos doesn’t win titles.
What Should Norris Have Done?
He had options:
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Wait for a better overtaking opportunity with guaranteed room.
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Use McLaren’s straight-line speed to attack on the main straight.
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Prioritize the long game — finishing ahead of Oscar in future races when the risk-reward ratio favors him.
Instead, he went full send — and it sent him to the wall.
Our Take at 99 Bends
We’ve hosted plenty of sim battles and talked through moments just like this with the racing community. And here’s the takeaway:
You can’t win a championship by beating your teammate in one corner. You win it by beating them over the course of a season.
Norris has the talent. Piastri has the consistency. And McLaren? They have a potential civil war brewing under the surface if they don’t set boundaries — fast.
What Do You Think?
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Was Norris’s move a show of raw ambition — or reckless misjudgment?
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Should McLaren impose team orders now that both drivers are in the championship fight?
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Has Zak Brown’s management style reached its limit?
Let us know on Instagram @99bends or drop your take below. Because this isn’t just about one race — this might be the moment that defines McLaren’s 2025 campaign.
– Keith
Director, 99 Bends Trackside Singapore
“Where the racing never stops — even off track.”