McLaren declare 'reality' of controversial Lando Norris-Oscar Piastri clash

McLaren boss Andrea Stella believes the true "reality" of Lando Norris's first lap at the Singapore Grand Prix was behind the team's decision not to order him to cede position to Oscar Piastri.

At Turn 2, Norris barged up the inside of Piastri to take third place, with the championship leader furious at the manoeuvre, and enquired whether the position would be given back as he felt it constituted a breach of McLaren's so-called Papaya Rules.

McLaren did not instruct Norris to give the place back, with the Briton going on to finish third ahead of Piastri in fourth to reduce the latter's points lead to 22 with six rounds remaining as the constructors' championship was secured in record-equalling time. 

Reflecting on the incident, Stella explained how the "reality" of Norris's bump into Piastri was that it was caused by him making slight contact with the rear of the Red Bull of Max Verstappen ahead.

"Obviously, it is within the power and the rights of the team to act, should that be the case," Stella told media, including RacingNews365. 

"There was an assessment, and we thought that there was no need to do [swap], but we do want our drivers to make their position very clear, and that is what Oscar did.

"Then we made our assessment, and we thought that the right course of action is the one that we took, but part of the process is the review that will happen in the coming days, and this will lead to an even more united and stronger team. 

"In terms of contact between our two drivers, this contact was in reality a consequence of another racing situation which happened between Lando and Verstappen.

"And so, definitely as there was contact, this will lead to a review and some good conversations, but in the moment, we thought this contact was more the result of another racing situation."