McLaren has turned up the pressure on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after the pair collided during the Singapore Grand Prix sprint, costing the team points and extra repair work.
The incident happened on the final lap when Norris tried to pass Piastri at Turn 5, sending both cars into a spin.
Piastri retired after hitting the barriers, while Norris recovered to finish eighth. The stewards took no further action.
According to Autosport, the crash forced mechanics into additional work, including replacing Piastri's gearbox, and left McLaren with fewer points in a tight constructors' fight.
Stella Calls Crash Unacceptable
Team principal Andrea Stella described the collision as unacceptable and stressed that individual ambitions cannot undermine the team's collective goals.
He said the damage was material for McLaren, which is chasing Ferrari and trying to stay ahead of Red Bull.
"It is serious because the damage for the team is material. We are in a close fight in the championship," Stella said, according to Autosport.
Stella added that discussions with both drivers would focus on preventing a repeat rather than assigning blame.
He said the talks are not finished, but the point is not to revisit whether Norris was alongside Piastri.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown was more direct. Speaking to Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle, he said the team would not tolerate another collision.
"Oh yeah. That was a 'don't do that again'.
And we didn't say please. That's an order," Brown said, according to Motorsport.
com.
Norris initially defended his attempt, arguing he had the right to go for the gap.
By the end of the weekend, he accepted responsibility and admitted his decision had hurt the team.
"I can't attempt what I did.
I should never have attempted it in the first place, even if the move was on," Norris said, according to Motorsport.
com.
He added that it was a mistake on his part and that he had apologised to the team.
Norris showed a more cooperative approach in Sunday's race by offering to help Piastri overtake Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari.
McLaren did not need to act on the offer, as Piastri finished fifth, one place behind Norris in fourth.
According to Motorsport.
com, McLaren sits third in the 2026 constructors' standings with 339 points, trailing Ferrari by 105 and leading Red Bull by just seven.
The team heads to the United States Grand Prix in Austin under continued pressure to protect its position.
