Kimi Antonelli stirred controversy in Sao Paulo after suggesting Lando Norris played an indirect role in Oscar Piastri’s crash during the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race — a calamity that not only ended Piastri’s run but also triggered a red flag and reshuffled the title fight. The chaos unfolded under damp skies, with Norris starting from pole after narrowly edging out Antonelli and Piastri in qualifying. What began as a promising duel for McLaren quickly spiraled into disaster as the treacherous conditions turned the sprint into a high-stakes gamble.
Piastri’s downfall came on the sixth lap when he clipped a soaked kerb at Turn Two, spinning violently into the barriers. The Australian’s crash was soon mirrored by Nico Hülkenberg and Franco Colapinto, who both lost control at the same corner — evidence of how unforgiving the circuit had become. As the red flags waved and marshals scrambled to clear the debris, Antonelli’s radio message provided a fresh twist to the drama. He claimed that Norris had gone wide earlier, splashing water across the racing line and inadvertently setting the stage for his teammate’s downfall.
“Norris hit the kerb and a lot of water went on line,” Antonelli reported coolly over team radio — a statement quickly picked up by Sky Sports and social media. It added fuel to an already simmering narrative about McLaren’s internal rivalry, coming just weeks after both drivers crashed out together in Austin. Norris would later recover to dominate the restarted sprint and clinch victory, while Piastri’s zero-point result pushed him nine points adrift in the championship — a cruel blow at a critical stage of the season.
The crash underscored Piastri’s growing frustration as his otherwise stellar campaign begins to fray at the edges. Despite showing pace and precision throughout 2025, his recent missteps have allowed Norris and even Verstappen to close in. Speaking after the sprint, Piastri struck a composed tone, vowing to move forward: “I’m just trying to put this behind me… there’s a lot more points on offer tomorrow. The better job I can do this afternoon, the better it’ll be.” His professionalism masked the deeper tension brewing beneath McLaren’s glossy façade of teamwork.
The incident also overshadowed a harrowing late crash involving Gabriel Bortoleto, whose Sauber was wrecked beyond recognition before he thankfully confirmed he was unhurt. As Interlagos braced for the main race, questions lingered — not just about Piastri’s title hopes or Bortoleto’s car, but about McLaren’s unity under pressure. With Antonelli’s insinuations hanging in the air, the spotlight on Norris burned brighter than ever, setting the stage for an explosive continuation of F1’s most electrifying rivalry.
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