Jenson Button believes fellow Brit Lando Norris has “turned a nook” regardless of crashing into McLaren System 1 teammate Oscar Piastri within the Canadian Grand Prix.
Norris had been chasing Piastri for fourth place within the closing levels of the Montreal F1 race when he jinked to the left on the beginning/end straight and clipped the rear of the Australian’s automobile.
The contact precipitated terminal injury to Norris’ McLaren, forcing him to retire on the spot.
The incident marked one other setback in what has been a tough season for Norris, who has struggled to constantly match his youthful and fewer skilled teammate.
Nonetheless, 2009 F1 champion Button downplayed the importance of the crash, saying it’s solely pure for a driver to make errors whereas combating for the championship.
By the way, Button and Lewis Hamilton collided in nearly the very same method whereas driving for McLaren on the Canadian Grand Prix in 2011.
“Yeah, it was a mistake by Lando, nevertheless it occurs. You realize, Lewis and myself crashed into one another 14 years in the past on the identical straight – so it occurs,” he mentioned.
He added: “I like that we now have the inter-team battle as a result of that is the battle for the world championship. It is good that they are going exhausting. They will make errors – it is a second in time for them.
“However they have to seize the bull by the horns, as a result of you do not know when the following one’s going to come back, or if it’s going to ever include a regulation change. So that they’re each combating exhausting for this world championship.”
The Montreal error has left Norris going through a 22-point deficit to Piastri, making the Australian the favorite for this yr’s title.
However regardless of the crash and its penalties on the championship battle, Button believes Norris made vital progress in Canada, significantly along with his strategy and confidence behind the wheel.
“I feel he is turned a nook – excuse the pun – however he actually has by way of being assured in his means and placing all of it on the market,” he mentioned. “So I am actually enthusiastic about seeing him transfer on from it.”
