Up Next
Oscar Piastri was found to be “wholly responsible” for his collision with Kimi Antonelli during Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix, that almost certainly cost Piastri a podium finish.
Piastri’s F1 title hopes took a fresh blow on Sunday at Interlagos when he was penalised for clashing with Antonelli (who in turn collided with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari) while trying to jump from fourth to second at Turn 1 after a safety car restart.
Piastri emerged in second but was handed a 10-second penalty that ultimately limited him to fifth at the chequered flag, costing him vital championship ground to both race winner Norris and Max Verstappen, who finished third from the pitlane.
Piastri said after the race “I’m not sure where I’m supposed to go” and said he wouldn’t have done anything different given another chance.
Piastri was ultimately doomed by the stewards strictly applying the racing guidelines regarding the attacking driver having their front axle alongside the mirror of the car they’re overtaking.
“Piastri did not establish the required overlap prior to and at the apex, as his front axle was not alongside the mirror of [Antonelli], as defined in the driving standard guidelines for overtaking on the inside of a corner,” the stewards’ said.
“Piastri locked the brakes as he attempted to avoid contact by slowing, but was unable to do so and made contact with Antonelli.
“This contact caused Antonelli to make secondary contact with [Charles Leclerc], who was positioned on the outside and was forced to retire from the race as a result.
“Piastri was therefore wholly responsible for the collision.
“A 10-second time penalty and 2 penalty points are considered appropriate and consistent with recent precedents.”
Essentially, Piastri needed to be further alongside Antonelli while still remaining under control - something Piastri doesn’t think was possible.
“I think to try and go in any deeper than I did would have been ambitious,” Piastri said. “I was where I was.
"I think in that scenario, if I was clearly understeering and missing the apex and then hit Kimi, then sure, I'd understand, but the fact that I was as far left as I could have gone makes it tough.”
