Oscar Piastri Clears Lando Norris Repercussions, Addresses Verstappen Threat Before Mexico

Oscar Piastri, alongside his teammate Lando Norris, is gearing up for the Mexico City Grand Prix with renewed optimism. Both drivers have emerged from recent challenges without any lingering repercussions, following a tough outing at the recent Circuit of The Americas.

Piastri and Norris: New Beginnings in Mexico

The recent events at the Austin Sprint have significantly influenced the dynamic between Piastri and Norris. Both drivers experienced a difficult race weekend, with McLaren suffering a double DNF after a collision on the first lap. This misfortune played a pivotal role in reshaping their approach for the Mexico race.

• Both drivers start the Mexico City Grand Prix with a “clean slate.”
• Piastri acknowledged his share of responsibility for their Austin incident.

Performance Review and Championship Standings

Piastri crossed the finish line in fifth place during the Austin race, while Norris secured second place behind Max Verstappen, the race winner. This result has narrowed Piastri’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship to just 14 points over Norris and 40 points ahead of Verstappen.

Reflecting on the Austin race, Piastri shared insights about the team’s analysis of their collision. He stated, “We’ve gone through it again – we go through every weekend, regardless of what’s happened.” This proactive approach aims to ensure better outcomes moving forward.

Adapting to Competitive Pressures

• Piastri confirmed that repercussions for Norris from the Singapore incident have been lifted.
• McLaren’s ‘papaya rules’ specify mutual respect between teammates to prevent collisions.

When discussing the competitive intensity of the championship, specifically concerning Verstappen, Piastri demonstrated a focused mindset. He emphasized the importance of concentrating on his own performance rather than external pressures. “Worrying about anyone else on the grid is not focusing on that,” he remarked.

Looking Ahead: Mexico City Grand Prix

As the team heads to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Piastri expressed uncertainty regarding their competitiveness against rivals like Red Bull. “It’s difficult to know how close we’ll be.” He acknowledged that performance predictions have not always aligned with actual results this season.

With Red Bull enjoying a streak of consistent success, Piastri recognizes the challenge ahead. However, he remains committed to maximizing his performance. As he stated, “We’ll try our best to get the most out of our car and see where we end up.”