McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has criticised the decision to penalise Oscar Piastri at the São Paulo Grand Prix, calling it ‘definitely on the harsh side’.
The Australian driver received a 10-second time penalty for colliding with Mercedes debutant Kimi Antonelli during Lap 20 at Interlagos, following a Safety Car restart.
The incident occurred as Piastri attempted an inside move at Turn 1, resulting in contact that pushed Antonelli into Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.
The collision forced Leclerc to retire from the race, while Piastri initially moved up to second behind teammate and eventual race winner Lando Norris.
However, the penalty dropped him to fifth after serving it during his first pit stop, denying him a likely podium finish.
“In terms of the penalty, I would say it was definitely on the harsh side,” Stella told Formula 1. “Yes, there was a small lock-up, but he managed to hold the line, which is ultimately what counts.”
Stella argued that the stewards should have considered shared responsibility. “I think the blame should be split with Kimi because he was aware Oscar was on the inside, and the contact could have been avoided,” he explained. “Perhaps Kimi was also concerned about Leclerc being on the outside—it was a complicated situation overall. But to call Oscar fully responsible feels harsh.”
Despite his disagreement with the decision, Stella stressed that the team respects the stewards’ judgment. “It’s done now. We accept it and move on,” he added.
Encouraging Race Pace Despite Setback
The result leaves Piastri 24 points adrift of Norris in the drivers’ standings, with three Grands Prix and one Sprint remaining this season.
Although the young Australian has not reached the podium in the last five races, Stella believes there are strong signs of improvement.
“From a performance perspective, Oscar’s pace was very encouraging in the second and third stints,” Stella noted.
“He carried some damage early on and was cautious about tyre wear, but later in the race, he showed strong pace.”
Stella praised Piastri for adapting well to changing track conditions, saying he effectively implemented the adjustments they had discussed for low-grip situations.
“So we take this as a positive indication of his development and consistency.”
As McLaren continues to chase strong results in the remaining rounds, Stella expressed confidence that both Piastri and Norris can maintain the team’s upward momentum.
With solid pace, improving consistency, and clear communication within the team, McLaren aims to end the 2025 season on a high.
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