McLaren Admits Piastri Penalty Was 'Deserved'; Hamilton Defends Ferrari Luce — Sunday Roundup

Sunday brought a flurry of stories from the F1 paddock, headlined by McLaren's admission that Oscar Piastri's Canadian GP penalty was justified, as Lewis Hamilton gave his first reaction to the polarizing new Ferrari Luce electric car.

Why it matters:

These stories touch on team dynamics, driver relationships, and the future direction of F1's most iconic team. McLaren's struggles with driver errors, Mercedes' internal cohesion, and Ferrari's shift to electrification all have implications for the championship battle and the sport's identity.

The details:

• Piastri Penalty: Andrea Stella acknowledged Piastri 'deserved' the 10-second penalty for colliding with Alex Albon at the hairpin, ending Albon's race. Piastri admitted he wasn't attempting an overtake, with high rear-brake temperatures a factor.
• Hamilton on Ferrari Luce: Hamilton defended the new electric Ferrari Luce, calling it "very Ferrari," despite former chairman Luca di Montezemolo slamming it as risking the brand's legend. Hamilton's support carries weight as he joins Ferrari next season.
• Russell & Antonelli Request Trust: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli asked Mercedes management to trust them to race cleanly in 2026, following a heated Sprint race incident. Deputy principal Bradley Lord revealed the request in a post-race meeting.
• Jos Verstappen vs Steiner: Jos Verstappen sent a blunt social media message to Guenther Steiner after Steiner claimed Max would be happy with 2026 rules if Red Bull were winning, writing: "I understand why you not a F1 team boss anymore."
• Cadillac Suspension: Graeme Lowdon confirmed Cadillac fully understands the cause of Sergio Perez's front-right suspension failure in Canada, revealing a pre-existing failure made the incident look more dramatic than it was.

What's next:

With the Canadian Grand Prix behind them, teams head into a triple-header. McLaren will look to avoid further penalties, Mercedes aims for harmony, and Ferrari's Luce debate continues—while Cadillac gains confidence from solving its reliability issue.