Oscar Piastri conducted the “perfect move” to lure Lando Norris into a mistake at the Canadian Grand Prix, according to former racing driver Davide Valsecchi.
Amid their battle for the drivers' championship, the McLaren duo were involved in their first coming together last weekend in Montreal.
As Norris attacked Piastri for fourth place towards the end of the grand prix, he made contact with the rear of the Australian's car and suffered terminal damage.
Piastri went on to consolidate fourth and extend his title advantage over Norris.
Norris has already admitted fault for the incident as Valsecchi hailed the defence approach taken by Piastri.
“It was not a very important [battle] because it was only for two points,” Valsecchi exclusively told RacingNews365.
“But the problem is that Norris didn't handle it very well, that move, while Piastri did it perfectly.
“Opening the line slowly, if you check it out again, it seems that he brings Norris into the mistake.
“It was the perfect move.”
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Davide Valsecchi: McLaren clash could be 'move of the championship'
Norris now sits 22 points adrift of Piastri in the drivers' championship following his retirement from the Montreal race.
Explaining how Piastri would have processed the situation from inside the cockpit, Valshecci explained: “'I don't want to give him the inside on the next corner, he’s going to pass me on the outside now, so I open the line.
“'I don't want to be too aggressive and open the line, because now I can change direction and go on the other side.
“'So I make it slow, and if he tries, there's no space'.”
With Piastri now holding his largest championship advantage yet, Valsecchi suggested it could be a pivotal moment in the title fight.
“He did the best move, and the other [McLaren] was just too rushing,” he stated.
“That move was perfect, and it was not the best race for him.
“It was not his best race of the year, but he pulled out a great manoeuvre there. It could be the move of the championship for him in his head.”
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