McLaren address depleting battery speculation in Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris overtake

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has rejected speculation that a depleting battery played a role in Oscar Piastri overtaking Lando Norris in the Belgian Grand Prix. 

Following an 80-minute delay, the race finally got underway after four laps behind the safety car. Once green flag running started, Norris lost the lead within a matter of seconds. 

Piastri used Norris' tow to overtake the Briton into Les Combes, in identical fashion to how Max Verstappen claim the Sprint lead on him at Spa-Francorchamps.

That proved to be the race winning move, as Piastri managed his tyres after everyone pitted for slicks to win by 3.4s. 

However, there was speculation that Norris had a weakened MCL39 when racing started, playing a role in Piastri sweeping past. 

Norris received a radio message moments before the safety car peeled into the pit lane that his battery level was low, before also making a mistake at the first corner. 

Asked if Norris' depleting battery was the cause of Piastri's overtake, Stella told select media, including RacingNews365: "In reality, when it comes to the usage of the battery at the start, I understand that there was a slight anomaly which actually happened on both sides.

"So nothing that should have penalised Lando in particular, compared to Oscar. [We're] still checking the data, but this is the initial feedback I received. 

"So I think the overtake, ultimately, came because it's very difficult for the car that leads the pack to actually arrive first in Turn 5. 

"It's not impossible, but it does require to have a decent advantage as you cross the finish line, which was not the case for Lando already under his start."