McDonald’s, Monopoly help Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris make up after Hungarian Grand Prix dispute

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS – Oscar Piastri revealed that a McDonald’s and Monopoly session was all it took to wipe away any strain in his relationship with McLaren teammate Lando Norris following his victory at last week’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

It was the 23-year-old Australian’s maiden Formula One triumph, but only after Norris reluctantly obeyed instructions towards the end to slow down and give his place as leader back.

Piastri, who had led for nearly the whole of the race, had initially been disadvantaged by a team decision to give second-placed Norris a favourable strategy, pitting the Briton first to cover against rivals behind him.

“We’ve not really spoken much about the race,” Piastri said ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. We’ve shared McDonald’s and played Monopoly. We’re still on good terms – on the same terms. We’re all good and there’s still a lot of respect there between us. It goes both ways.”

He also said McLaren have “rules of engagement” in place for times when the two drivers are fighting for position.

“We discuss that we’re racing for the team and we’ve been... maybe not in a one-two scenario, but we’ve been close to each other a lot of times on track and close for podiums and stuff like that before,” he added.

“Certain strategic decisions – like the second pit-stop timing – are done with the team’s ambitions in mind.

“If we were flat out racing each other and didn’t have anyone else to worry about behind us, then the pit-stop order would have been completely different, I’m sure.

“But we did have cars to worry about, so that’s why we swopped and why we swopped it back.”

Asked if he would do the same and give up a place for his teammate, Piastri clarified the question and said: “I’m not sure if I’d say he gave it to me – maybe he gave it back to me.

“Ultimately, he did give the position back and I know it’s not an easy position to be in. We all want to go out and win. I would have thought selfishly as well, but we go racing for McLaren knowing that we are racing for the team.”

Norris, upon reflection, said he regretted overshadowing Piastri’s first race victory.

“It’s such a stupid thing I didn’t (let him past immediately). I could have just done so and still try to overtake and to race him,” he said.

“The things that I could have done, the fact that I clouded over Oscar’s first race win, is something I’ve not felt too proud about.”

On July 26, Max Verstappen was handed a 10-place grid penalty for this week’s race after making an engine change. Red Bull made the move after three races without a win. AFP, REUTERS