Piastri on São Paulo Penalty: 'I Can't Disappear'

Oscar Piastri expressed no regrets regarding the 10-second penalty he received at the São Paulo Grand Prix, a decision that likely cost him a podium finish. The McLaren driver maintained that he saw a clear opportunity to make a move, asserting that he couldn't have simply disappeared from the track, despite the resulting collision with Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc.

Why it matters:

Piastri's unyielding stance on the incident highlights the aggressive nature of F1 racing, especially during safety car restarts where opportunities are fleeting. This penalty, which many observers, including former F1 driver Martin Brundle, considered harsh, significantly impacted Piastri's race outcome and further widened the points gap to his teammate Lando Norris in the drivers' standings.

The Details:

• The Incident: On lap six, following a safety car restart, Piastri locked up into Turn 1, colliding with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. This initiated a chain reaction, also involving Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. The stewards deemed Piastri responsible, handing him a 10-second penalty.
• Piastri's Perspective: The Australian driver stated, "I had a very clear opportunity. I went for it." He explained that his lock-up was due to Antonelli not leaving him space, emphasizing, "I can't disappear." He accepted the decision but stood by his maneuver.
• Expert Opinion: Overhead replays suggested Antonelli left an opening, leading Martin Brundle to comment that he would have made the same move "20 other times" if given the chance.
• Race Impact: Serving the penalty during a pit stop, Piastri ultimately finished fifth, behind his race-winning teammate Lando Norris. This result increased Norris's lead over Piastri in the drivers' standings to 24 points.

The Big Picture:

While the penalty was a significant factor, Piastri also acknowledged that his race pace, particularly in the first stint, wasn't at the level he desired. This broader concern about raw pace, rather than solely the penalty, is crucial for his performance moving forward. With only three Grands Prix remaining and 83 points still available, consistency and optimal pace will be key for Piastri to close the gap to Norris and secure a stronger finish to the season.

What's next:

Piastri is focused on maximizing his performance in the remaining races. He aims to refine his pace, especially after a challenging first stint in São Paulo, and leverage every opportunity. While a championship challenge is now mathematically difficult, strong finishes are vital for his team's constructors' championship standing and for building momentum into the next season.