According to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher, the collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix was not intentional, while Max Verstappen’s chances of winning the world championship remain completely intact. Schumacher analyzed the situation for Sky Deutschland, emphasizing the growing tension inside the McLaren team and the pressure building on Piastri in the decisive phase of the season.
McLaren: growing internal tensions
The result of the Singapore Grand Prix proved to be crucial for McLaren, which secured its second consecutive Constructors’ Championship title in 2025. However, the race at Marina Bay also marked the first signs of internal friction between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, as the two drivers battled for the Drivers’ Championship. The opening-lap contact between them played a pivotal role, benefiting Norris, who moved closer to the championship leader, along with Max Verstappen, who continues his steady recovery in the standings.
It was a tense weekend for McLaren, especially after Piastri’s visible frustration following the early collision with his teammate. According to Ralf Schumacher, the incident was not deliberate and does not go against McLaren’s “Papaya Rules” of fair intra-team competition. “Lando is doing a great job at the moment,” Schumacher explained to Sky Deutschland. “He had a fantastic start, and of course, Piastri was upset when Norris got past him. In my opinion, the contact wasn’t intentional; Norris simply turned because he got a fright when Max Verstappen slowed down in front of him. Sometimes these things happen. The important thing is that Oscar is showing more nervousness than usual, and he’s becoming more sensitive now that we’re entering the decisive stage of the championship.”
The Verstappen ‘threat’
Ralf Schumacher also focused on Max Verstappen’s prospects in the championship, believing the Dutch driver still has every chance to fight for the title. “Max’s chances of winning the world championship are still there,” he said. “A retirement can always happen, and that would change everything. McLaren has lost its dominance for the moment, but the situation could turn around again in the next race in Texas. We’ll see a clear trend in the upcoming rounds in the United States and then in Mexico. If Max keeps scoring points ahead of the McLarens, his chances will remain alive. Otherwise, it’ll be over soon.”
The Mekies factor
One major difference compared to the first part of the season, Schumacher noted, is Red Bull’s visible progress, which he attributes to leadership changes within the team. “It’s all connected,” he explained. “In football, you can be the best coach, but if you can’t reach your team, you’ll have problems. Maybe that’s what was happening a few months ago at Red Bull. The new team principal, Laurent Mekies, is an outstanding engineer — he understands the contributions his people want to make, and his personality really inspires those around him.”
For Schumacher, the renewed atmosphere within Red Bull could play a decisive role in how the 2025 season unfolds. The Austrian team, which struggled at the start of the year, now appears to be regaining its confidence and technical edge under Laurent Mekies’ management. If Verstappen continues to capitalize on this upward trend, the championship battle could remain alive until the very end — especially as McLaren faces internal strain between its two title-contending drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
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