Piastri’s Silent Anger After British GP Victory Lost

ByPasarextra

Oscar Piastri’s Frustration After British Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri, the Australian Formula 1 driver, showed visible frustration after a tough British Grand Prix at Silverstone. He finished in second place behind his teammate Lando Norris, but the result was overshadowed by a controversial 10-second penalty that cost him the win.

The incident occurred on lap 21 during the second safety car period of what turned out to be a chaotic race. Piastri appeared to brake heavily on the Hangar Straight, causing concern for Max Verstappen, who was directly behind him. The Dutch driver was caught off guard by the sudden slowdown and had to swerve to avoid hitting Piastri’s car.

Verstappen expressed his surprise over the move through his radio: “Whoa, mate ****, he just suddenly slows down again.” This led to an investigation by the FIA stewards, who later handed Piastri a costly 10-second penalty. The penalty was served during his final pit stop, allowing Norris to overtake and claim the victory.

After the race, Piastri spoke with Jenson Button and admitted his frustration. “Yeah, I’m not gonna say much. I’ll get myself in trouble, so… well done, to Hulkenberg. I think that’s the highlight of the day, so… yeah, I’ll leave it there.”

When pressed further about the incident, Piastri said: “Yeah, I mean, apparently you can’t brake behind the safety car anymore. I mean, I did it for five laps before that and… again, I’m not gonna say too much ’cause I’ll get myself in trouble.”

Despite the setback, Piastri took a moment to thank the fans for their support. “But thanks to the crowd for a great event. Thanks for sticking through the weather. I still like Silverstone, even if I don’t like it today – so thanks for coming out.”

Later, Piastri explained the situation to Nico Hulkenberg during the cooldown period. “I got a 10-second penalty for braking behind the safety car. I hit the brakes basically as the lights went out on the safety car, so then I didn’t accelerate, and apparently that gets you a 10-second penalty.”

Piastri had been leading the race up until the penalty, having taken the lead from Max Verstappen, who started from pole position and was aiming for his fifth win of the season. However, the penalty ultimately derailed his chances of securing a victory.

The points gap between Norris and Piastri now stands at just eight points, with Norris gradually regaining confidence after a strong performance in Austria a week prior.

Zak Brown, the team principal of McLaren, commented on the incident following the race. “The safety car seemed like it was called in a bit late. The leader controls… I think Max accelerated, Oscar braked, which made it look worse than it was. The telemetry didn’t look like it looked on TV. But it is what it is.”

He added: “I think any time you get into these penalties, there’s an element of subjectivity. I think when they’re pounding on the brakes, they’re 130-140psi, so trying to get temperature in the tyres, it’s wet, late call – a close one.”

Key Takeaways from the British Grand Prix

  • Controversial Penalty: Piastri received a 10-second penalty for braking behind the safety car, which cost him the chance to win.
  • Team Dynamics: Lando Norris secured the victory, while Piastri finished second, highlighting the competitive nature within the McLaren team.
  • Fan Support: Despite the disappointment, Piastri acknowledged the support from the fans at Silverstone.
  • Subjectivity in Penalties: The incident sparked discussions about the subjectivity of penalties in Formula 1, particularly regarding braking behavior behind the safety car.
  • Points Gap: The race narrowed the points gap between Norris and Piastri, setting the stage for an exciting championship battle.

As the Formula 1 season continues, the events at Silverstone will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment in the ongoing competition between drivers and teams.