British media hail Norris & Piastri's Canadian GP crash as most important 'story of the season'
09:34, 16 Jun
Updated: 09:47, 16 Jun
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The British media have reacted to Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, diving deep into the late clash between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Some outlets mentioned the safety car 'gamesmanship' between George Russell and Max Verstappen, whilst others stated outwardly that 'nobody cared' as one of the defining moments of the 2025 season unfolded.
The McLarens collided in the closing stages of the Canadian Grand Prix whilst battling for fourth place. Norris had driven well throughout the race after starting on the hard tyres from seventh place. The Papaya team hadn't looked as dominant as they had been at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in a race which never really ignited until the two collided with just a few laps to go.
BBC analyse 'defining moment' of the 2025 season
The BBC looked at the incident in depth, stating that the incident will be one of the most important moments of the 2025 season.
"The move that could well become one of the defining moments of the season came at the start of lap 67 of the 70-lap race.
"Norris had driven well on an inverted strategy, starting on the hard tyre from seventh on the grid and running long to his first pit stop, to come into contention for the final podium place with Antonelli and Piastri."
Fans might also had been given a sense of deja-vu with two McLaren's colliding on the home straight in Canada, something which the BBC also mentioned.
"The move had echoes of a similar incident between McLaren team-mates in Canada, when Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button collided in more or less the same place at this race in 2011.
"But the incidents were different. In 2011, Hamilton had some of his car alongside Button, who moved over slightly. This time, Norris did not have space to edge alongside and appeared to misjudge the manoeuvre.
"With 14 races to go, it is far from a fatal blow to Norris' title hopes, but it makes his life much harder against a team-mate who on balance has had the edge on him so far this season."
The Sun comment on 'story of the season' from Canada
Popular British tabloid The Sun also focused fully on the incident between Norris and Piastri.
"It was bunching up between the leading pack, with seven seconds suddenly covering the top five.
"Verstappen was snapping at Russell’s heels with just over 1.5 seconds separating the bitter rivals while Norris in fifth was doing the same to his team-mate Piastri in fourth.
"The British driver even got within DRS range of Piastri who was being held up by Esteban Ocon in traffic."
After explaining the incident, the publication decided not to go into detail about the safety car gamesmanship which took place in the closing stages. Both George Russell and Max Verstappen escaped without a penalty after Red Bull lodged a protest.
"No one really cared though as Norris and Piastri’s tussle is the story of the season so far."
Lando Norris retired from the Canadian Grand Prix in the closing stages
The Guardian see a blow to Norris' world title hopes
Like other publications, The Guardian also focused on Brit Lando Norris' retirement from the 10th round of the Formula 1 season. Like Former F1 team manager Peter Windsor, the publication had respect for Norris due to his honesty in the immediate aftermath of the collision.
"Norris was quick to hold up his hands over team radio: 'All my bad, all my fault, stupid from me,' he said.
"The collision with Piastri dealt a blow to Norris’s world championship hopes. Although McLaren could not challenge the Mercedes and Red Bull, Piastri’s fourth place increased his lead over Norris to 22 points, 10 races into the 24-race season."
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