Piastri Loses British Grand Prix Victory Due to Penalty
In a controversial turn of events at the British Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri’s race was effectively derailed by a 10-second penalty for erratic driving behind the safety car. The McLaren driver was leading when the incident occurred, allowing Max Verstappen to briefly overtake him before returning to the correct position after the safety car restart.
Former F1 driver and analyst Jolyon Palmer criticized the penalty as "harsh," particularly given that Piastri’s actions did not appear to warrant such a significant sanction. During the F1 Nation podcast, Palmer noted, "He’s hit reasonable brake pressure to slow the car down, but I just don’t see it as a major moment." Piastri had previously backed up the field without issue, which Palmer identified as inconsistent in the FIA’s enforcement of penalties.
After serving the penalty, Piastri dropped behind his teammate Lando Norris, who went on to claim his first victory at Silverstone. Palmer underscored the unique nature of the decision, stating, "I can’t remember a single driver ever getting pinged for this."
Palmer also referenced similar incidents in recent races, indicating a lack of consistency in how the FIA applies penalties across different situations, raising questions about fairness in officiating.
As a result of the penalty, Piastri expressed clear frustration following the race, highlighting a significant shift in his race outcome and the implications for both driver and team amidst an intense championship struggle.
