Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will continue to compete freely despite the in-team conflict at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
Formula 1 title rivals Norris and Piastri were hit for the first time this year, battling in fourth at the end of Sunday’s race in Montreal.
Norris hit the rear of Piastri’s car, trying to straighten his teammates and maintain race-end damage, but Piastri pits under the safety car afterwards to finish fourth.
McLaren maintained a collision between Norris and Piastri, so there was no plan to change its policy regarding how drivers race.
“To be free to race and clarify how to go to race is the value of racing, the value of racing, and instead of being close to two cars and then in control from people, I want to exercise and respect as much as I can.”
“That’s how I think races could soon be a bit of an artifact. We want to give you the opportunity to race and Oscars and be at the end of the season.
“This isn’t necessarily a simple and straightforward exercise, but I want to try my best possible, so I don’t expect today’s episode to change its approach from this perspective.”
Internal reviews “make McLaren stronger”
Norris accepted full responsibility for the incident and apologized to both Piastri and McLaren.
Stella, who described Norris’ move as a “miss ruling,” believes it comes from McLaren’s internal review, where they’ll come from becoming stronger together.
“If anything, it will be strengthened and will strengthen the principles we have that require more attention by our drivers,” Stella added.
“If you say there’s no contact between two McLarens, even in DRS situations, you’ll need a margin to make sure the car is sucked into almost another vehicle and can cause this kind of misjudgment in the distance.
“In all circumstances, in the heat of the moment, it looks like the worst disaster of all time. But in reality, the strength of being a racer, the strength that comes from having a strong culture is the fact that you handle the episode.
“This is the way we all have at McLaren, and I think this was proven in the way Rand handled the situation, and it would be a conversation that would be like we have with the whole team, not just with the driver.
“We’re leaning on a very strong culture and using these episodes to get a little chilled, our minds get colder than in the moment, and we’re going to be a stronger team with two powerful drivers.”