Martin Brundle senses McLaren shift after Lando Norris-Oscar Piastri contact

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes the on-track rules of engagement between the McLaren drivers will change following their clash in Singapore.

Lando Norris made contact with title rival Oscar Piastri as they battled for position on the opening lap last Sunday.

Piastri took issue with Norris' driving and called into question McLaren's rules of engagement and pledge for driver equality, insisting it was not fair that Norris gained a position by shunting him in the process.

However, McLaren opted not to intervene and Norris remained ahead of Piastri until the end of the race, taking a further three points out of the Australian's championship advantage.

With just six rounds remaining to determine the title-winner, Brundle believes Norris and Piastri will begin to treat one another differently on the track.

“Piastri appealed to the team to sort that out given the 'no contact' rules between them, which they declined,” Brundle wrote in his column for Sky Sports. 

“It would have been a feisty post-race team debrief, and I have no doubt whatsoever that the dynamics between the two McLaren drivers will irrevocably change going forward. 

“It was just a matter of time.”

Despite missing out on the win in Singapore, McLaren scored enough points to seal the constructors' championship.

As a result, Brundle has suggested McLaren should loosen the rules and leave the remainder of the title fight in the hands of the drivers.

“Perhaps McLaren should now just let their two drivers duke it out, gloves off, between themselves with zero interference,” he said.

“Any nuclear fallout will be tempered by the need to finish races, score points, avoid FIA in-race penalties, avoid Verstappen catching the pair of them, and running out of the latest specification of parts as the team focuses on 2026.”