FIA confirm controversial McLaren penalty after high drama i….read more
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was penalized by the FIA after a controversial incident during the sprint race at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The 23-year-old Australian driver, in his debut season with McLaren, came under investigation for a move involving Alpine’s Pierre Gasly at Turn 12. The incident occurred during Saturday’s sprint, and after a review, the FIA determined that Piastri had forced Gasly off the track. As a result, Piastri received a five-second penalty.
This decision added to the drama in Austin, where McLaren was eager to maximize their points to stay competitive in the constructors’ championship against Red Bull. Starting from 16th on the grid, Piastri faced an uphill battle after being eliminated in SQ1 during Friday’s qualifying session due to exceeding track limits. His early struggles made his push for points in the sprint race even more challenging.
Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, also found himself in the spotlight after a late-race incident with Ferrari’s drivers. Both McLaren drivers managed to finish within the top 10, despite Piastri’s penalty, but only the top eight drivers in a sprint race are awarded points. This meant Piastri left the sprint empty-handed despite his efforts.
The incident with Gasly, however, became the main talking point. Sky Sports pundit Ted Kravitz humorously noted how difficult it was to differentiate between the two cars due to Alpine’s special livery for the US GP, which bore a striking resemblance to McLaren’s signature papaya colors.
McLaren’s penalty frustrations were compounded by the importance of the points up for grabs in Austin. The 2024 Formula 1 season has been fiercely competitive, with McLaren fighting to keep pace with Red Bull at the top of the standings. Every point matters in the constructors’ championship, making the penalty and its impact on Piastri’s race even more significant.
Despite the setback, McLaren still hopes to recover in the main race, where they will be looking to minimize the damage and secure crucial points. The team will need strong performances from both Piastri and Norris to stay in the hunt against the reigning champions, Red Bull, as the season continues to provide high-stakes action.
