Racing Drama Unfolds in Monaco as Piastri Recounts Heart-Stopping Norris Moment
The Monaco Grand Prix was filled with heart-stopping moments, none more so than when Oscar Piastri feared for his teammate Lando Norris as he locked up at Turn 1 to fend off Charles Leclerc. Piastri, lining up behind Norris, was convinced that the McLaren driver had crashed into the wall, only to breathe a sigh of relief when Norris managed to keep his position.
In the intense battle for the lead, Norris, Leclerc, and Piastri all opted for a two-stop strategy, starting the race on medium Pirelli tires. As Norris defended his pole position, Piastri witnessed the smoke from the locked-up tires and thought the worst had happened. However, Norris skillfully held onto the lead, maintaining his position ahead of Leclerc and Piastri.
Following the race, in the cooldown room, Piastri shared his initial shock with Norris and Leclerc, exclaiming, “Mate, I thought you were in the wall hard at Turn 1. I saw smoke everywhere and was like: ‘Oh my god, no!'” Leclerc also admitted to thinking that Norris was heading for a crash during that intense moment.
As the race progressed, Leclerc continued to put pressure on Norris, with Max Verstappen yet to make his second pit stop, causing a bunch-up at the front. Norris, reflecting on the nerve-wracking final laps, acknowledged the challenge of fending off Leclerc with Verstappen ahead. Despite the pressure, Norris expressed his joy at securing the victory in Monaco, fulfilling a childhood dream.
In a post-race interview, Norris remained unfazed by the possibility of a late-race red flag benefitting Verstappen, emphasizing that he focused on his own race and was content with his performance. The McLaren driver’s unwavering determination and skill on the track ultimately led him to victory in Monaco, a momentous achievement in his racing career.
