The Canadian Grand Prix on June 15, 2025 produced a dramatic moment when McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided in the closing stages of the race, resulting in a DNF for Norris and fourth place for Piastri. The FIA imposed a five-second time penalty on Norris for causing the collision, a decision that has sparked much debate. However, former driver Davide Valsecchi has a clear opinion: Piastri’s driving was “perfect”, while Norris made a mistake by diving into a non-existent gap. His analysis, shared with RacingNews365 , provides good news for Max Verstappen, who is benefiting from the points gap between the McLaren drivers in the battle for the championship.
The collision occurred on lap 66 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with Piastri running fourth, followed by Norris in seventh. Norris, who had a podium finish in sight, attempted a daring overtake on the start-finish line, along the pit wall. He touched Piastri’s rear wheel, damaging his front wing and crashing into the wall, ending his race. Piastri, who suffered no damage, held on to his position and scored important points. Norris immediately took the blame on team radio, an apology he later repeated to reporters: “It was stupid on my part. Our number one rule is no contact with your team-mate, and that’s what I did,” he told RacingNews365 . McLaren team principal Andrea Stella called the incident an “error of judgement” and stressed that such collisions are unacceptable.
Valsecchi’s praise for Piastri focuses on his tactical approach. “It wasn’t a crucial fight, just for a few points, but Piastri positioned himself perfectly,” he explained. By gradually opening up the racing line, Piastri forced Norris into a position where he had to make a risky move. “It looked like he was luring Norris into a mistake. It was the perfect move,” Valsecchi added. This analysis underlines Piastri’s composure under pressure, a trait that gives him an advantage in the title fight. Before the race, the gap between Piastri and Norris was just ten points, but after Canada it grew to 22 points, a significant gap with 14 races to go.
For Max Verstappen, who finished second behind race winner George Russell, the incident is a gift in the championship fight. Although Verstappen himself played no part in the McLaren collision, Norris’ points deficit strengthens his position. Verstappen, who was already under fire after a controversial collision with Russell at the Spanish GP that earned him a ten-second time penalty and three penalty points, remains a major contender. His total of 11 penalty points puts him close to a race ban, but the focus now turns to McLaren’s internal struggle. Posts on X reflect Verstappen fans’ frustration with the FIA’s treatment of Norris, who was not given extra penalty points despite the collision, which some see as inconsistent.
Piastri’s calmness after the incident cemented his reputation as a rising star. “I didn’t see the incident, but if Lando takes full responsibility, then so be it,” he told Sky Sports . His focus on holding on to fourth place showed his strategic mindset. Valsecchi stressed that the move could potentially be “the move of the championship” for Piastri, given the psychological and points impact on Norris. McLaren CEO Zak Brown appreciated Norris’ candor, but stressed that the team now needs to discuss internally how to prevent a repeat.
International media, including L’Equipe and the BBC , drew comparisons with previous McLaren clashes, such as that between Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in 2011, but concluded that Norris’s move was a clear miscalculation. While Piastri’s title ambitions are strengthened, Verstappen continues to benefit from the divisions among his rivals. With the next race on the calendar and tensions within McLaren still fresh, the season promises to be a fiercely contested one, with Verstappen’s consistent performances and Piastri’s astute driving potentially setting the tone for the remainder of 2025.
