Brundle suggests Norris form impacted by Budapest call

Ex-F1 driver Martin Brundle has suggested the team order negotiations at McLaren from Budapest played a part in Lando Norris’ form at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Norris endured a difficult weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, taking a fifth-place result into the summer break while team-mate Oscar Piastri secured a podium.

The race occurred just one week after Piastri won his maiden grand prix in Hungary, which saw Norris involved in a lengthy debate with his team over team orders before conceding his position to Piastri.

Norris stated after the race in Belgium that he would “reset” during the summer break after ruing a mistake on the opening lap.

Writing in his column for Sky F1, Brundle suggested the Budapest situation was still playing on his mind at Spa.

“Lando Norris appeared a little unhappy about something all weekend despite solid performances,” Brundle said.

“I wondered if the events of Budapest the weekend before were still playing on his mind.”

Norris enters the summer break second in the drivers’ championship, 78 points down on standings leader Max Verstappen.