Lando Norris admits sprint clash with Piastri was a mistake and vows to learn

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Lando Norris has admitted he should never have tried to pass Oscar Piastri on the last lap of the Singapore sprint. RacingNews365 reports that the McLaren team mates were running fourth and fifth, places worth nine points between them. The contact spun both cars, and the result was costly

Norris recovered to eighth for a single point, while Piastri retired. That cost McLaren eight points in the constructors' championship. Team principal Andrea Stella called the clash unacceptable and serious, which is strong language from a usually measured boss

Norris was candid in his response. He said he could not attempt what he did, and that he should never have tried it even if the move was on. He admitted it was a mistake on his part and that he had let the team down. He went on to finish fourth in Sunday's grand prix, a solid recovery

The timing makes the lost points hurt more. McLaren are now only seven points ahead of Red Bull in the fight for third in the constructors' championship. Every point will matter in the final races of the season

Owning the mistake so clearly is the right response, and it should help repair things inside the team. Team mate clashes are always painful, but they often lead to clearer rules of engagement. McLaren will want both drivers racing cleanly from now on

Was Stella right to call it unacceptable? And can McLaren hold off Red Bull for third?

Lando Norris makes solemn vow after remorseful McLaren admissionracingnews365.com