Breaking: Christian Horner Issues His Shock Verdict on Norris- Piastri F…read more
Christian Horner Surprised by Norris-Piastri Duel at Imola, Praises McLaren Discipline
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has shared his unexpected take on the tense battle between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri during the closing stages of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The pair narrowly avoided contact as they fought for position after a late safety car restart, with Norris eventually overtaking Piastri just five laps from the finish.
Despite being in a strong position to challenge Max Verstappen, McLaren chose not to impose team orders, allowing their drivers to race each other freely. Norris’s bold move wasn’t enough to catch Verstappen, who went on to secure his second win of the season.
Reflecting on the incident, Horner expressed surprise that McLaren allowed the situation to unfold without intervention. “I think we had enough pace today to cover whatever they brought,” he said. “But obviously, they’ve got two drivers contending for the championship. At some point, personal ambition can outweigh team priorities, so credit to them for avoiding a clash.”
Horner acknowledged the risk involved in letting teammates race so freely but commended both drivers for keeping it clean. “It was admirable that they were allowed to fight, but you could see how close it came,” he noted.
Verstappen’s victory was built on a daring first-lap pass on Piastri and a composed drive from the front. The win was a much-needed boost for the reigning champion, who has faced a challenging start to the season amid teammate changes—most recently partnering with Yuki Tsunoda after Liam Lawson’s departure.
Rumors continue to swirl about Verstappen’s future at Red Bull, but despite the off-track distractions, he now sits just 18 points behind Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship as the focus shifts to the Monaco Grand Prix.
With rising stakes and increasing pressure, especially at McLaren, the team’s handling of their drivers’ rivalry could prove decisive in the ongoing title fight.
