The Grand Prix of Canada on June 15, 2025 yielded a dramatic moment when McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided in the final phase of the race, which resulted in a DNF for Norris and a fourth place for Piastri. The FIA ​​imposed a five -second time penalty for causing the collision, a decision that called on a lot of discussion. Former driver Davide Valsecchi, however, has a clear opinion: Piastri’s driving behavior was “perfect”, while Norris made a mistake by diving into a non -existent gap. His analysis, shared withRacingNews365, offers good news for Max Verstappen, who benefits from the points gap between the McLaren drivers in the battle for the championship.
The collision took place in round 66 on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, where Piastri rode in fourth place, followed by Norris in seventh position. Norris, who had a podium place in sight, tried a daring catch-up action on the start-finish line, along the pit wall. He hit the rear wheel of Piastri, damaged his front wing and crashed in the wall, ending his race. Piastri, who suffered no damage, retained his position and scored important points. Norris immediately took the blame through the team radio, an apology that he later repeated to reporters: “It was stupid on my part. Our most important rule is not contact with your teammate, and that’s what I did,” he said toRacingNews365. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella called the incident an “estimation error” and emphasized that such collisions are unacceptable.
Valsecchi’s praise for Piastri focuses on his tactical approach. “It was not a crucial fight, only for a few points, but Piastri positioned himself perfectly,” he explained. By gradually opening the racing line, Piastri Norris forced a position in which he had to make a risky move. “It seemed like he was luring Norris in the mistake. It was the perfect action,” Valsecchi added. This analysis underlines Piastri’s cold -bloodedness under pressure, a characteristic that gives him a lead in the title fight. Before the race, the gap between Piastri and Norris was only ten points, but after Canada this grew to 22 points, a considerable gap with 14 races to go.
For Max Verstappen, who finished second behind racing winner George Russell, this incident is a gift in the championship struggle. Although Verstappen himself did not play a role in the McLaren collision, Norris’s points backlog strengthens its position. Verstappen, who was already under fire after a controversial collision with Russell in the Spanish GP, for which he received a time penalty of ten seconds and three penalty points, remains an important contender. His total of 11 penalty points brings him close to a racing offer, but the focus is now on McLaren’s internal struggle. Posts on X reflect the frustration of Verstappen fans about the FIA’s treatment of Norris, who received no extra penalty points despite the collision, which some people regard as inconsistent.
Piastri’s calmness After the incident, his reputation strengthened as a rising star. “I have not seen the incident, but if Lando takes full responsibility, then it is,” he said toSky Sports. His focus on retaining fourth place shows his strategic mindset. Valsecchi emphasized that this maneuver may be “the move of the championship” for Piastri, given the psychological and point impact on Norris. McLaren-CEO Zak Brown appreciated Norris’s frankness, but emphasized that the team must now discuss internally how repetition can be prevented.
The international media, includingThe TeaminBBC, compared to previous McLaren collisions, such as those between Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in 2011, but concluded that Norris’s action was clearly a miscalculation. While Piastri’s title ambitions are being strengthened, Verstappen continues to benefit from the division of his rivals. With the next race on the calendar and the tensions within McLaren still fresh, the season promises a fierce battle, in which Verstappen’s consistent performance and Piastrri’s smart driving can set the tone for the rest of 2025.
