Oscar Piastri, frustrated after the sanction in San Pablo

The Australian received ten seconds of extra time after touching Kimi Antonelli in the first corner and his chances of being champion became very complicated.

McLaren’s behind-the-scenes duel took a direction that does not go wrong: Lando Norris. In the last six races, Oscar Piastri, who came to enjoy a lead of 34 points after his victory in the Netherlands (15th round), scored just 57 points. The Englishman, for his part, added 115 in the same Grand Prix sextet. The Australian was fifth again in the main race of the San Pablo GP (21st round), a position in which he finished in the last three races.

At Interlagos, Piastri failed at crucial moments. In the sprint he went over the internal curb at the exit of the Senna S, which had water, and ended up against the wall. In the main competition this Sunday, he went inside on the restart after the safety car, and tried to pass Kimi Antonelli, who defended himself without giving an inch. The McLaren driver, blocked, collided with the Italian Mercedes driver, who in turn eliminated Charles Leclerc from the race. The ten-second penalty that Piastri received jeopardized his chances in the competition and, practically, in the tournament.

The Melbourne driver arrived at the press corral and, as always, showed no sensations in his gestures. He is always the same, when he wins and when he loses. Logically, he referred to the sanction he received for touching Antonelli: “I had a very clear opportunity and I took advantage of it, the other two drivers (by Antonelli Leclerc) braked quite late. Obviously there was a small scuffle in the corner, but that was because I saw that Kimi was not going to give me any space. I couldn’t just disappear from there. But the stewards’ decision is what it was,” Piastri said.

Regarding his chances in the championship, now 24 points behind Norris, he noted: “I will try to get the most out of the remaining races. Today (for the San Pablo race), beyond the penalty, the pace was not where I want it to be. The second half of the race was not bad, but the first half was difficult. I am trying to control the situation and have better weekends.”