F1 | Jenson Button praises Lando Norris–Oscar Piastri duel despite Canada contact. Jenson Button supports the on-track fight between Norris and Piastri.

The incident that occurred in the final laps of the Canadian Grand Prix between McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri did not spark major controversy in the paddock. In the moments immediately following the collision on the main straight, Norris himself apologised to the team over the radio, admitting to having made a “stupid mistake”. Nevertheless, regardless of who was at fault, the incident drew various opinions.

Internal battle welcomed!
While Jacques Villeneuve, for instance, felt Oscar Piastri’s move was unnecessary (the Australian also apologised to his teammate after the race), another world champion, Jenson Button, sees the fight between the two McLaren drivers as anything but negative. Interviewed on the matter by Sky UK at the New York premiere of the film F1, the Briton shared his thoughts: “I think it’s positive that there’s a fight within the team, because it’s a fight for the World Championship,” he said. “It’s great that they’re battling hard. They’ll make mistakes, and that’s a key moment when they have to seize the opportunity, because you never know when the next opportunity will come—or if it ever will—especially with the regulations changing.”

The coincidence
In 2011, two years after winning his only world title, Button was also involved in a strikingly similar incident at the very same part of the track with Lewis Hamilton, when the two were teammates at McLaren: “They’re both pushing hard for this world championship, but that’s just how it goes. Lewis and I collided on the same straight 14 years ago! These things happen.”

Lando Norris under pressure
Finally, the British driver focused on fellow Briton Norris, who has already struggled in the past to manage high-pressure situations and now, as he admitted after the contact, is dealing with remorse: “Now we’ll see if Lando is in a good mental place and whether he’ll come out stronger from this situation. I think he believes in his own ability and is giving everything he’s got, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.”