McLaren Group Principal Andrea Stella believes that Oscar Piastri’s penalty for a collision with Kimi Antonelli throughout the Sao Paulo Grand Prix was “undoubtedly on the tough aspect”.
The Australian may solely finish fifth in Sunday’s 71-lap race, having been compelled to serve a 10-second penalty throughout his first pit cease after the stewards deemed him answerable for the collision with Antonelli.
Piastri had moved to the within of Antonelli at Flip 1 instantly following a Security Automobile restart, however the pair made contact, with the Mercedes driver despatched into the aspect of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, who had tried to cross across the exterior.
The ensuing collision initially allowed Piastri to maneuver as much as second, behind crew mate and eventual race winner Lando Norris, however with Leclerc compelled to retire the penalty eventually dropped him back in the final result.
“By way of the penalty, I might say that [it was] undoubtedly on the tough aspect,” mentioned Stella.
“It is true, we see a little bit lock-up, however on the similar time, he is capable of preserve the trajectory, which is in the end what counts.
“I feel the duty ought to be shared with Kimi, as a result of Kimi form of knew that Oscar was on the within and the collision most likely may have been prevented.
“Maybe Kimi was additionally fearful of getting Leclerc on the surface. A troublesome state of affairs, clearly, a troublesome state of affairs, however I feel general the penalty is harsh for Oscar to be thought-about absolutely guilty for this incident.
“On the similar time, now it is achieved. So, like I reiterate, the respect that we now have for the stewards, we settle for it, we transfer on.”
Piastri misplaced additional floor to Norris within the title race and sits 24 points behind with simply three Grands Prix and a Dash remaining, having not stood on the rostrum for 5 races.
The 24-year-old has struggled for tempo currently, particularly in comparison with his type at first of the season and as compared with Norris extra lately, however Stella was content material with Piastri’s efficiency in Brazil.
“From a tempo standpoint, I feel the tempo was fairly encouraging within the second and third stint,” added Stella.
“Within the first stint, Oscar was carrying some harm on the tyre that was locked and he was additionally form of pondering that the stint would have been lengthy, however within the second and the third stint, I feel the efficiency was good.
“Simply speaking proper now with Oscar, a few of the diversifications that we talked about in these low grip circumstances, I feel he was capable of execute them throughout the race.
“So, I feel we take away from this occasion encouraging indications from a efficiency standpoint and race tempo standpoint.”
