Piastri Admits “Things are Very Tough” as Championship Hopes Dim After Chaotic São Paulo Grand Prix
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Oscar Piastri is facing a crisis in form and a looming suspension threat after a disastrous weekend at the São Paulo Grand Prix, admitting “things are very tough at the moment.” The McLaren driver received a ten-second time penalty and two penalty points on his racing license following a collision-filled main race, exacerbating a recent dip in performance that has seen teammate Lando Norris surge ahead in the championship standings.
Piastri’s struggles unfolded during both the sprint and main races. He initially lost control during the sprint race and then triggered a multi-car incident in the Grand Prix, making contact with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who subsequently collided with Charles Leclerc while attempting to overtake. The incident resulted in the penalty points, bringing Piastri closer to a race suspension – ten points trigger a mandatory race ban. Norris’s victory in Brazil extended his lead over Piastri to 24 points with only three races remaining, substantially jeopardizing Piastri’s title aspirations.
“It is what it is,” Piastri told Viaplay after the race. “I thought I had put myself in a good position to limit the damage, but that turned out not to be the case. A tough afternoon, a tough weekend. There just seems to be a lot of things tough right now.” Piastri also contested the penalty, stating, “I had a very good restart, maybe braked a little too late, but I stayed within the lines and couldn’t go anywhere. The decision is what it is.”
The dramatic turn of events marks a stark contrast to Piastri’s position before the summer break, where he was a strong contender for the championship. With the season nearing its conclusion, Piastri faces an uphill battle to regain momentum and salvage his title hopes while together avoiding a potential race suspension.