Zak Brown addresses Lando Norris-Oscar Piastri talks after nightmare clash

Zak Brown has addressed the fallout from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's Singapore Sprint clash, confirming both drivers have been forgiven by McLaren despite a collision that cost the team dearly in the constructors' standings.

Norris attempted a late inside move on Piastri at Turn 5 on the final lap of the rain-hit sprint as the pair fought over fourth place. 

The contact sent Piastri into the barriers and out of the race, while Norris salvaged just a single point from what had looked like a four-five finish. FIA stewards opted not to hand out penalties, ruling it a racing incident in which both drivers carried blame.

Norris later admitted he had made an error of judgement and apologised to the team, while McLaren's management held in-house talks with both drivers. The lost points in Singapore narrowed McLaren's cushion over a fast-recovering Red Bull to just seven points in the fight for third in the constructors' championship.

Speaking to Sky F1 during first practice for the United States Grand Prix, Brown was asked whether he had forgiven his two drivers.

"Of course, we've forgiven them," said Brown. "They're racing drivers; these things happen. It wasn't malicious, and that's what we really look for. It was racing, and the risk wasn't worth the rewards. 

"Of course, we had those discussions, but I don't anticipate that happening again. But it certainly wasn't anything intentional or malicious. And if I was going to Vegas, I would say that at some point in the future, I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again because they're racing drivers. 

"So you talk about it, talk about what we could have done differently, and you move on, and then you focus on the next race."

McLaren hopeful of improved performance after recent struggles

Brown also gave his assessment of McLaren's competitiveness heading into the race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, with Red Bull having dominated the previous two rounds.

Discussing the team's chances this weekend, Brown said: "I think it's too early to tell, but my gut is we are competitive. 

"It's a term Andrea (Stella) likes to use, which means pretty close to the front. But it's so close. The Red Bull has been the car to beat here the last couple races. 

"But we do feel this is a circuit that our car likes more than maybe the last few races we've been to."