McLaren has issued a statement regarding the controversial penalty handed to Oscar Piastri at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Australian driver received a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc, dropping him from second to fifth place.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has expressed disappointment with the penalty, stating that it was “very harsh”. Stella emphasized that the team will review the incident and discuss it with the FIA to understand the decision-making process. “We will see if there’s anything to learn on our side, and I’m sure Oscar will use this motivation for being even more determined for the races to come,” Stella said.
Oscar Piastri has accepted the penalty, acknowledging that he didn’t establish the required overlap with Antonelli. However, he expressed frustration with the decision, saying “Apparently you can’t brake behind the Safety Car anymore. I mean, I did it for five laps before that”. Piastri has since spoken with the FIA to gain clarity on the incident.
The penalty has significant implications for Piastri’s championship hopes, as he now trails teammate Lando Norris by 24 points. Piastri will look to bounce back in the remaining races, with the Las Vegas Grand Prix next on the calendar.
The FIA stewards concluded that Piastri was solely at fault for the collision, stating that he didn’t establish the necessary overlap with Antonelli. The decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some arguing that the penalty was too har
About the Author
