Stewards have cleared McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of sole blame following their collision during the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint. The incident occurred as both drivers were battling for third place behind Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, resulting in contact that caused both to spin off track.
According to the official stewards’ report released on October 10, 2026, Norris attempted an inside overtake on Piastri at Turn 5. The move led to contact between the two McLaren teammates, with Piastri hitting the wall and retiring from the sprint race, while Norris managed to recover and finish eighth. The stewards concluded that both drivers played a part in the collision, but neither was wholly or predominantly at fault, and no penalties were issued.
The investigation took into account statements from both drivers. Norris explained that he saw a significant opportunity to gain position and tried to avoid the incident as the gap between them closed rapidly. Piastri, on the other hand, said he did not see Norris at the apex of the corner and planned to review the incident with the team to understand it better.
The stewards’ decision reflects the complex nature of intra-team racing incidents, especially in the high-pressure environment of a sprint race where every position counts. Both Norris and Piastri were aggressively pursuing a podium spot, which contributed to the tight racing and ultimately the collision.
For McLaren, the incident was a setback in the sprint race, with Piastri forced to retire and Norris losing potential points despite finishing in the top ten. The team will likely focus on managing such close battles between teammates carefully in future races to avoid similar incidents.
This ruling by the stewards underlines the challenges teams face when their drivers compete closely on track. It also highlights the importance of clear communication and mutual awareness between teammates during wheel-to-wheel racing, especially in the sprint format where the racing is more intense and less forgiving.
The incident and subsequent steward decision provide a clear example of how racing incidents are assessed in Formula 1®, balancing the perspectives of the drivers involved and the context of the race. Both Norris and Piastri remain key figures for McLaren as the season progresses, with the team aiming to maximise their combined potential while minimising intra-team risks.