Norris lambasted for 'amateur' crash at the Canadian Grand Prix

09:36, 18 Jun

byOlly Darcy

Dutch drivers and Viaplay analysts Tom Coronel and Michael Bleekemolen have no kind words about Lando Norris's mistake at the Canadian Grand Prix, branding it an "amateur" bit of driving.

Norris immediately apologised over the team radio after crashing into teammate Oscar Piastri on the final few laps, driving into the back of the Australian after trying to push through a gap that was not there.

Andrea Stella, the team principal of McLaren, was very pleased with Norris's quick apology to his teammate, saving a serious talk with his driver.

However, Coronel, who has competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, did not pull any punches towards Norris.

‘’This is an amateur mistake,’’ the Dutchman said, immediately criticising the mistake made by the 25-year-old.

‘’This wasn’t thought through. This is where you put him in and think ‘there’s a gap’. This is just frustration, just panic is what it is.’’

Lando Norris's crash with Oscar Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix meant the Brit was the first McLaren to not finish a race this season.

Will Norris and Piastri crash more often?

Bleekemolen, a former Formula 1 driver in 1977 and 1978, was also equally as bemused as Coronel with Norris's decision-making around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

‘’I don't understand it at all, because what’s the point? There’s no space, and there hasn't been for a long time.

‘’Piastri will simply become champion, as he doesn’t make these kinds of mistakes, and Max even less so. So, between these two, I see a future world champion," continued the 75-year-old, believing the Brit will not see himself win a championship.

Coronel, however, thinks differently: ‘’We were waiting for this moment, two McLarens touching each other. This is the first time. Because now Piastri also thinks, ‘Now the gap is so big, I can also take risks.' That is quite a gift.’’