Piastri Faces Penalty After Collision in São Paulo GP
Oscar Piastri’s hopes for a strong finish in the São Paulo Grand Prix were curtailed when he received a 10-second time penalty for a collision with Kimi Antonelli during a safety car restart, ultimately placing him fifth. This incident also resulted in the elimination of Charles Leclerc.
The collision occurred as Piastri attempted a three-wide maneuver into Turn 1, positioning himself on the inside. Although he asserted control during the incident, the stewards ruled him at fault. “I had a very clear opportunity up the inside… I was firmly on the apex, on the white line. I couldn’t go any further left,” Piastri stated, expressing frustration at the ruling.
Despite acknowledging a lockup during the maneuver, Piastri defended his actions, noting the importance of maintaining his racing line. “When you have that good of a run into Turn 1, you’re not just going to back out,” he emphasized.
The result marks a significant setback in the drivers’ championship, as Piastri now trails teammate Lando Norris by 24 points. Reflecting on his performance, Piastri admitted to ongoing challenges in rediscovering his early-season form: “Things have not been going easily… there are flashes of really strong pace, but we are trying to maintain that consistently.”
Norris’s victory further complicates Piastri’s championship aspirations as he aims to recover from recent setbacks, including a crash during the Sprint race prior to the main event. With the season entering its final stages, Piastri’s need for consistency is paramount.
