McLaren defends Norris as pressure builds after Spa

McLaren is backing Lando Norris amid growing pressure inside the team, as Oscar Piastri’s commanding Belgian GP win deepened the title fight and exposed fresh cracks in Norris’s campaign.

In treacherous conditions at Spa, pole-sitter Norris was caught out at the safety car restart, allowing Piastri to pass decisively into Les Combes.

The Australian went on to take victory and extend his championship lead to 16 points. “He was asleep,” said 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg on Sky. “Even later in the race, he made three more mistakes, which Hamilton or Verstappen probably wouldn’t have made in the same circumstances.”

Norris radioed shortly after the overtake that he had “no pack” - referring to compromised battery deployment - but couldn’t explain the drop-off. “I need to look at it with the team. I don’t know,” he said afterwards.

Team CEO Zak Brown leapt to his defence, suggesting technical issues may indeed have played a role: “We had a small battery issue which we’ve got to look at, which I think didn’t help him.”

Asked if it was specific to Norris, he added: “Let me do some homework, but we had some battery issues there at the start.” Team boss Andrea Stella elaborated further:

“There was a slight anomaly, which actually happened on both sides. Nothing that should have penalised Lando in particular compared to Oscar. The overtaking ultimately came because it’s very difficult for the car that leads the pack to actually arrive first in corner five.”

Piastri’s bold move into Les Combes was widely praised. Gazzetta dello Sport called the pass “a masterstroke at the university of Formula 1,” while Spain’s AS described it as “the maneuver that separates the good drivers from the chosen ones.” Mundo Deportivo added: “Piastri was once again the smartest in the field.”

With the Australian gaining momentum, calls have emerged for McLaren to install Piastri as their clear number 1,  but Stella rejected the notion.

“If I was looking for comfort, then I’m not doing the right job,” he said. “We want to race in an open manner. That gives both drivers the opportunity to showcase their talent, ambition and quality.”

Stella added: “I’ve worked with several world champions in my career, and I think Lando and Oscar are performing at the same level. They deserve to challenge each other for the title.”

Brown was more openly impressed with the 24-year-old Piastri: “He’s a machine. The impressive thing is that he drives aggressively, yet still finishes every race.” Criticism of Norris extended beyond Rosberg.

Auto Bild’s Ralf Bach commented, “He was simply too cautious, but that’s not how you become world champion. It’s also about balls.” Ralf Schumacher, speaking on Sky Deutschland, echoed the view.

“If Lando had been a bit smarter, he would have had the air he needed. He was a bit too slow. Oscar was simply the better driver.” Despite the growing internal rivalry, Brown reaffirmed McLaren’s stance: “I’m looking forward to more close duels between Lando and Oscar. May the better one win.”