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Could Norris have fought against Piastri Hungarian GP

Could Norris have fought against Piastri? The Briton answers

24 July at 08:00
4
  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

After a one-two finish and easily defeating the rest of the field at the Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren should be over the moon celebrating. Yet, the British team found themselves answering questions about what went wrong, as a result of the the team's instructions given to Lando Norris. After the Grand Prix, Norris was asked whether he could fight Oscar Piastri on track.

Following the Grand Prix, Norris declared he could have fought against Piastri. "We were allowed to race. Maybe something would have changed in certain positions, but we've always been allowed to race. 99% of our time together we've been allowed to race. There's been a couple times when it's just been better to hold position and it's not been worth anything differently, especially when we're fighting for, like last year we were fighting for ninth and tenth and stuff like that," said the Briton.

He continued: "It feels better or worse either way, but we've always been allowed to race as McLaren. We've always been able to have those opportunities, and I think mainly because we've always been honest with each other, we've always respected each other well."

The Briton also said this how McLaren will progress. "For myself, I feel like I've always been good and honest and happy and respectful for who I work with and how we can work well as a team. I believe it's a good trait from my side and it's helped me plenty of times in the past. So, yes, we are allowed to race and into the future that will continue to be the same, I'm sure."

Oscar Piastri could overtake Norris after the start and remained in the lead, until the British team decided to undercut the Australian with Norris. Piastri pitted two laps later, leading to losing P1 to his teammate. That however prompts the question whether Norris could have let Piastri past earlier, and then try to fight for the victory.