F1
A “difficult” decision to accept but Norris does not forget what Piastri was able to do for him
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For their first double since the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, McLaren found a way to ruin what should have been a total party. By wanting to “protect” oneself from Lewis Hamilton, the Woking team directly undercut Oscar piastri, then in the lead, with Lando Norris.
A long game of radio exchanges then followed. And after very long minutes and some meaningful messages, Lando Norris faced the facts and gave back first place and therefore victory to his Australian teammate, winner for the first time in F1.
The result was certainly a double for McLaren, which dominated the Hungarian weekend, but indirectly the decisions taken by the wall created tension. On his lap of honor, Oscar Piastri was rather reserved, even if he is by nature, proof that this situation had an impact on everyone's joy.
“Hard when you fight for victory”
After the podium protocol, Lando Norris had the opportunity to return to the subject. If he appeared tense on the radio at the time of the first instructions, the child from Bristol ended up recognizing that he did well to let his partner, who was able to be cooperative these two seasons spent together, pass.
« I'm very happy, also happy for Oscar, confided-he. I know he won in Qatar (the sprint), mbut he will say that this victory represents much more than a sprint. It's his first real victory, which is a special moment so I'm happy for him and the team.
[In my opinion] It's difficult but I know what Oscar has done for me in the past. This time it's slightly different but I was asked to pass it up and I did. It's always hard when you fight for victory because it means a lot to me, but also to him. I tried to put myself in his shoes and understand him that way. Every driver is selfish and you have to be in this sport, but when you only think about your own interests, you only think about the good things. But of course I put myself in his shoes and understood that I had to do what was right. » Hoping that this will not affect the team internally when it has never seemed so strong.
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Gonzalo Forbes
In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
22/07/2024 at 11:25 a.m.
If Norris had given up the lead as soon as he was asked instead of arguing on the radio, he would certainly have been able to attack him to take back 1st place. That being said, if he hadn't "missed" at the start, the course of the race would certainly have been completely different!