The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster of drama, and the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal added a fiery chapter to the narrative. Lando Norris, McLaren’s star driver, found himself at the center of controversy after colliding with teammate Oscar Piastri, resulting in his first Did Not Finish (DNF) of the campaign. The incident, which occurred on Lap 67 of the 70-lap race, saw Norris misjudge a bold overtaking attempt, crashing into Piastri’s rear and ending his own race. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner didn’t hold back, branding Norris a “w****r” on his Red Flags podcast for what he called a reckless move. Steiner’s blunt critique, paired with his co-hosts’ “tough love” comments, has sparked debate about Norris’s mental resilience and McLaren’s approach to their championship-contending drivers.

The collision in Montreal was a pivotal moment in the season. Norris, starting from seventh after a messy qualifying, had worked his way into contention for fourth place with an offset strategy that extended his first stint on hard tires. His pace was impressive, closing a five-second gap to Piastri in just over ten laps, aided by fresher tires and backmarkers slowing his teammate. The battle intensified as both McLaren drivers chased Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli for the final podium spot. On Lap 66, Norris dove inside Piastri at the hairpin, briefly taking fourth, only for Piastri to cut back and reclaim the position. The following lap, Norris attempted to squeeze through a narrow gap on the pit straight, misjudging the space and clipping Piastri’s rear tire. His front wing and suspension were damaged, forcing him to retire as the race finished under a safety car, with Piastri securing fourth behind George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Antonelli.

Norris was quick to take responsibility, radioing his team, “All my bad, all my fault. Stupid from me.” He later apologized to Piastri in the media pen, a move praised by the Australian for its honesty. However, Steiner’s harsh words on the Red Flags podcast cut deeper, with the former Haas boss stating, “He messed Canada up completely, he deserves that.” Steiner suggested the criticism could serve as a “wake-up call” for Norris, whose 22-point deficit to Piastri in the drivers’ standings now looms large. The podcast’s co-hosts added, “You’re welcome, Lando, for this tough love,” framing the critique as motivation for the Briton to regroup.

The incident has raised questions about Norris’s mental state. Nico Rosberg, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show, pointed to “mental fragility” as a factor in Norris’s error, noting his tendency to make mistakes under pressure. This season, Norris has struggled with consistency, particularly in qualifying, where Piastri leads their head-to-head 8-4. Despite showing blistering pace in races like Melbourne and Monaco, where he took pole, Norris’s errors in Jeddah, Miami, and now Canada have cost him valuable points. McLaren’s introduction of a suspension tweak in Canada aimed to improve Norris’s feel for the car, but the results were mixed, with Piastri opting to stick with the original setup.

McLaren’s leadership, led by Andrea Stella and Zak Brown, now faces a critical decision. The team has maintained a policy of letting Norris and Piastri race freely, emphasizing fair competition even as they vie for the drivers’ title. Stella acknowledged the need to “review” the incident, stressing that contact between teammates violates McLaren’s “papaya rules.” However, he downplayed any long-term fallout, noting Norris’s immediate accountability. With McLaren leading the constructors’ championship by 175 points, the team can afford to focus on the drivers’ battle, but the question of whether to prioritize Piastri, who has five wins to Norris’s two, is gaining traction. Some, like Jolyon Palmer, see Norris’s pace as a silver lining, but his errors under pressure remain a concern.

As Norris prepares for the Austrian Grand Prix, having attended the F1 movie premiere in New York, the spotlight is on his ability to bounce back. Piastri, leading the championship, remains composed, emphasizing the bigger picture of their rivalry. Steiner’s provocative label and the ongoing debate about team orders underscore the high stakes of McLaren’s title fight. Norris’s talent is undeniable, but to challenge Piastri, he’ll need to harness his speed without the costly mistakes that have defined his 2025 season so far.