Lando Norris reveals vulnerability which created Oscar Piastri attack

Lando Norris has explained how he was left vulnerable to attack from team-mate Oscar Piastri during the Austrian Grand Prix.

After the safety car went in for the first lap incident, which eliminated Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, Piastri piled an assault on race-leader Norris, briefly getting ahead at Turn 3 before Norris slipped back past to regain control of the race - and crucially, the ability to pit for fresh tyres first.

Piastri almost wiped both cars out in another attack at Turn 4, which was the final time he tried to make a move, with Norris pitting soon after, which allowed him to crucially rectify a deficit he had been carrying: an empty battery.

Norris would ultimately go on to win the race from Piastri to reduce the Australian's championship lead to 15 points with Charles Leclerc in third, a long way behind for Ferrari. 

"Especially stint one, I think we got ten laps in and the gap was already five seconds," Norrosi told media including RacingNews365 when asked if he was pushing immediately, and of the gap to Leclerc.

"I knew what our pit stop window was going to be or was planning to be, and I was like: 'There's no chance we're going to make it to the pit stop here', Oscar was pushing too, and I think we knew quite quickly that we weren't racing the Ferraris behind with a quick race car, and it was kind of eyes forward. 

"But the first stint was difficult just because I couldn't get my battery up, and it was quite a strategic part of the race. 

"I was just always vulnerable for those reasons. But as soon as I did the pit stop, I could get the battery back up for the first time, and then I could be a little bit more comfortable.

"We just had some good battles, and we've had a couple in the past. Granted, they probably didn't last as long as they did, but I think we both knew what to expect from each other. 

"We both want to race hard and race fair. It goes both ways, and of course, I kind of have to put Montreal behind us and behind me for sure. It's something I wish never happened, but it was nice that we could go out and have a good battle and push things to the limits. 

"There were still some close moments, but nothing that would make Andrea [Stella]or the pit wall sweat too much."