Sainz Reveals Steering Wheel Failure Caused Piastri Clash in Hungary

Carlos Sainz revealed a steering wheel system failure caused his Lap 39 collision with Oscar Piastri during the Hungarian Grand Prix, disrupting the McLaren driver's bid for the lead and spoiling the afternoon for both drivers.

On Lap 39, Piastri was defending his position ahead of teammate Lando Norris when he encountered Sainz, who was locked in a battle with Fernando Alonso at Turn 2. Sainz cut across the McLaren, forcing Piastri to take evasive action and lose crucial time. The delay allowed Norris to complete his pit stop and emerge in the lead.

Why it matters:

Blue flag reliability is critical when backmarkers are fighting for position. Sainz's failure to receive warnings while dueling Alonso created a dangerous situation that compromised the lead battle and showed how a single technical glitch can reshape the outcome of a Grand Prix.

The details:

• No Warning Lights: Sainz explained his steering wheel failed to display blue flags, leaving him completely unaware that Piastri was approaching to lap him.
• Blind Spot Contact: While attempting to undercut Alonso into Turn 2, Sainz moved across Piastri's path. He noted the McLaren was sitting in his blind spot at that angle, making the contact impossible to avoid from the cockpit.
• Race Impact: The clash cost Piastri enough time that Norris could pit and reclaim first place. Sainz was handed a five-second penalty for causing the collision and finished 18th.
• Late Retirement: Piastri later retired from second place with a gearbox failure 14 laps from the end.

Between the lines:

Sainz's comments underscored a deeper frustration with Williams' pace this season. By contrasting this year's struggles—being lapped twice per race—with last year's tightly bunched field, he shifted focus from pure driver error to the team's fundamental performance deficit. Better systems might help, but the root issue remains clear.