McLaren Drivers Norris, Piastri Collide at Canadian Grand Prix, Championship Gap Widens

At the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided during a fierce battle for fourth place, with Norris hitting the back of Piastri's car and retiring from the race. Norris immediately accepted full responsibility for the incident, apologizing to Piastri and the team, acknowledging he broke the fundamental rule of not making contact with a teammate. Despite the crash, Piastri managed to finish fourth and extended his championship lead over Norris to 22 points, highlighting a significant shift in the team's internal championship battle. The collision has sparked discussions about McLaren's 'papaya rules,' which allow both drivers to race aggressively and equally without a designated number one, a strategy that has previously cost the team valuable points. Team boss Andrea Stella described the crash as a misjudgment and an accident waiting to happen, while both drivers expressed a desire to maintain their competitive but respectful relationship. The incident underscores the challenge McLaren faces in balancing intense intra-team rivalry with the need for team unity in their championship campaign.