Oscar Piastri’s Formula 1 title challenge has taken another blow, with a controversial penalty costing the Australian in Brazil.
Championship leader Lando Norris converted pole position into victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix on Monday Morning (AEDT), while a Piastri finished fifth after being handed a 10-second penalty for an early crash.
Norris now leads the drivers’ championship by 24 points over Piastri, with three rounds to go.
Piastri’s hopes of a podium were dashed when he was deemed “wholly responsible” by the race stewards for a collision which resulted in Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashing out.
Piastri went for a big move off a safety car restart on lap six of 71, going down the inside of second-placed Antonelli, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Antonelli appeared to cut across Piastri’s line, with the Australian locking his brakes before hitting the side of the Mercedes.
The force of the shunt sent Antonelli’s car into the side of the Ferrari, ending Leclerc’s race.
The stewards said Piastri was at fault for the crash because the Australian’s front axle was not alongside Antonelli’s, and his locked brakes came as a result of trying to slow down and avoid the eventual collision.
Piastri was able to control his car and ran second, behind Norris, a position he likely would have finished if not for the penalty.
The Australian cut a frustrated figure when asked about the incident, claiming the only reason he locked his brakes was because Antonelli did not give him enough room.
“I had a very clear opportunity, I went for it,” he told Sky Sports.
“The other two [Antonelli and Leclerc] on the outside braked quite late.
“There was obviously a bit of a lock-up into the corner, but that was because I could see Kimi [Antonelli] wasn’t going to give me any space.
“I can’t disappear, but the decision is what it is.”
Oscar Piastri moved into second after overtakeing Kimi Antonelli and Charlec Leclerc, but was penalised for making contact during the move. (Reuters: Amanda Perobelli)
Despite the stewards declaring Piastri was the only driver at fault, Leclerc said he did not rest the blame for his retirement wholly on the Australian.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Ferrari driver said he believed Antonelli knew Piastri was on the inside of him and should have taken a different line.
“Oscar was optimistic, but Kimi knew Oscar was on the inside … and he kind of did the corner like Oscar was never there,” Lelcerc said.
“For me, the blame is not all on Oscar.
“Yes, it was optimistic. But this could have been avoided.”
Antonelli would go on to claim second place, holding off a fast-finishing Max Verstappen, who placed third after starting from the pit lane. George Russell was fourth for Mercedes.
With three grand prix and one sprint race left in the season, Norris can finish second in each race and become world champion.
While there was plenty of action for the podium places, Norris drove an assured race to seal his seventh grand prix win of the season.
But the speed of Verstappen in the Red Bull, who was just 10 seconds behind Norris despite starting from the pits, concerned the championship leader.
“To be honest, I don’t think we were the quickest today but I’m glad to take home the win,” Norris said.
“It’s a great win. But seeing how quick Max was, it’s disappointing we were not quicker.”
When asked about his 24-point lead over Piastri, and 49-point advantage over Verstappen, Norris said he was going to block out any external noise for the final three rounds.
“Not a long way to go, but it can change so quickly,” Norris said.
“So I just focus on myself, keep my head down, ignore everyone, and keep pushing.”
Follow all the action of the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix on the blog below.
Key Events
F1 São Paulo Grand Prix race summary
— with Reuters
McLaren’s Lando Norris won the São Paulo Grand Prix to surge 24 points clear in the Formula 1 championship, while teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri finished fifth after being penalised for causing a collision.
Mercedes’ teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli hung on for a career-best second place with a chasing Max Verstappen third for Red Bull after starting from the pitlane.
It was another astonishing performance from four-times world champion Verstappen, who won from 17th at Interlagos last year, after an early puncture left him fighting back from 18th.
“Crazy race,” said Norris of his second successive win after snatching the championship lead from Piastri in Mexico last month.
“To be honest, I don’t think we were the quickest today but I’m glad to take home the win.
“It’s a great win. But seeing how quick Max was, it’s disappointing we were not quicker.”
Piastri, who started fourth with Norris on pole, had to serve a 10-second penalty for an early clash with Antonelli that put Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc out of the race after they went three-abreast.
It was another massive blow for the Australian, who crashed out of the Saturday sprint that Norris won on a perfect weekend for the Briton, who has moved up a gear and is the clear title favourite.
George Russell was fourth for Mercedes, who consolidated second place overall in a constructors’ championship already won by McLaren.
With three races and a Saturday sprint remaining, Norris has 390 points to Piastri’s 366, with Verstappen falling further behind on 341.
Oliver Bearman was sixth for Haas, another fine performance from the British rookie, with Liam Lawson seventh for Racing Bulls ahead of teammate Isack Hadjar.
Nico Hulkenberg finished ninth for Sauber and Pierre Gasly completed the points positions for Renault-owned Alpine, a year on from the team’s double podium in Brazil.
Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto completed a miserable weekend for Brazil’s only driver in the race, spinning into the wall on the opening lap after being squeezed by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll as Norris led cleanly away.
The crash brought out the safety car, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton pitting for a new front wing after he collided with Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.
The seven-time world champion and honorary Brazilian continued on a damaged floor but was given a five-second penalty for causing a collision, then retired, with Ferrari suffering a third double retirement of the season.
The safety car came in at the end of lap five and Piastri locked up and made contact with Antonelli who was pushed into Leclerc.
The Ferrari lost a tyre and stopped, triggering a virtual safety car.
“He (Antonelli) left me no space,” the Australian said over team radio but stewards disagreed.
Verstappen, who had a new engine and plenty of other changed parts after qualifying 16th, suffered a slow front-right puncture on lap eight.
He was up to fourth after 24 of the 71 laps, setting fastest laps and only four seconds behind Piastri. On lap 51, the Dutch driver, on a different tyre strategy, led when Norris made his second stop.
“To be on the podium, I did not expect that at all,” Verstappen said.
“To finish only 10 seconds from the lead is incredible.”
That is all for the live blog today
This is where we end our live digital coverage of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Lando Norris has won, and he enjoys a 24-point lead over Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ championship.
Piastri was fifth today, hampered by a contentious penalty for a crash on lap six that knocked out Charles Leclerc.
ABC Sport will have live coverage of the Las Vegas Grand Prix in two weeks.
We hope you join us then.
Charles Leclerc does not completely blame Oscar Piastri for the crash
One driver who does not think Oscar Piastri was entirely at fault for the crash, is the driver who was ultimately knocked out.
Charles Leclerc spoke to Sky Sports F1, and believes Kimi Antonelli could have done more to avoid the lap six crash.
“Oscar was optimistic, but Kimi knew Oscar was on the inside … and he kind of did the corner like Oscar was never there,” Lelcerc said.
“For me, the blame is not all on Oscar.
“Yes, it was optimistic. But this could have been avoided.”
Piastri’s thoughts on his penalty
Here are Oscar Piastri’s thoughts on his 10-second penalty.
“I had a very clear opportunity, I went for it. The other two on the outside braked quite late. There was obviously a bit of a lock-up into the corner, but that was because I could see Kimi [Antonelli] wasn’t going to give me any space. I can’t disappear, but the decision is what it is.”
Antonelli speaks about his late battle with Verstappen
Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli achieved a terrific second place in Brazil.
He needed to fend off a fast-finishing Max Verstappen, who came from the pit lane to challenge.
Antonelli was able to hold on, achieving his best result in F1.
“The last few laps were very stressful with Max coming with fresher tyres. I found my rhythm, I raised the pace and started to push a bit more. In the dirty air it is hard to follow, I tried to use that to my advantage and it paid off.” — Kimi Antonelli
Norris refelcts on the win and his 24-point championship lead
Lando Norris seems to be more concerned about the pace of Max Verstappen than the win in Brazil.
Vertsappen was third, 10 seconds behind Norris, despite starting from the pit lane.
“It was a great win, but to see how quick Max was today – I’m disappointed we weren’t quicker. We need to see what we can do,” Norris says.
The Briton now holds a 24-point lead over Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ championship.
He says he cannot get complacent with three rounds to go.
“Not a long way to go, but it can change so quickly,” Norris says.
“So I just focus on myself, keep my head down, ignore everyone, and keep pushing.”
Norris ignoring critics in championship fight
Lando Norris now has a very good lead in the drivers’ championship.
It is a far cry from the 34-point deficit he had at the end of the Dutch Grand Prix.
He was asked in the post-race press conference about how he has dealt with the comeback.
“Just ignore everyone that talks crap about you,” he says.
“The team has done an amazing job, we are pushing away from the track, pushing on track and glad to take home the win.”
Lando Norris leads the F1 championship by 24 points
Lando Norris has taken a big stride towards the drivers’ championship.
Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri by 24 points.
A driver gets 25 points for a race win.
Norris could finish second in the final three grand prix, and the sprint race, and that will be enough to be world champion.
Norris congratulates his team after win
Here is what Lando Norris has told his team.
“Nice race. Well executed. Good job all weekend.”
The Briton said the margin of victory was not to his liking.
I think he is referring to the gap to third-place finisher Max Verstappen. Verstappen was 10 seconds off the lead, despite starting from the pit lane.
Lando Norris wins Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix
Lando Norris has won the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix, extending his lead in the drivers’ championship.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli drove a brilliant race to finish second, holding off a fast-finishing Max Verstappen, who placed third after starting from the pit lane.
Mercedes driver George Russell finishes fourth.
Australian Oscar Piastri finished fifth, after being handed a 10-second penalty for causing a collision that ended the Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s race.
FINAL LAP
70/71: Antonelli holding on to second place
Max Verstappen is close to Kimi Antonelli.
Vertsppen has the DRS open, but the teenage Mercedes driver holds on.
Antonelli is good through the esses, and holds on in the second DRS.
Piastri is chasing Russell for fourth, but he cannot make the move.
Five laps to go
Oscar Piastri is catching George Russell.
Fourth is the best Piastri will achieve today.
Lanod Norris is comfortable out in front.
Kimi Antonelli is holding on to second place, as Max Verstappen charges.
63/71: Verstappen up to third with a great move
Max Verstappen has DRS on George Russell.
They are on the main straight, and Russell covers the inside line.
Verstappen goes around the outside and makes the move.
Great driving.
Piastri is also catching Russell.
Ten laps to go
Lando Norris is starting to look good in the lead.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is second, and George Russell is third, reporting brake issues.
Max Verstappen is flying in fourth, and his team have told him the second place is on.
Oscar Piastri is fifth, and he is not making enough gains on the top four.
59/71: George Russell is reporting brake issue to Mercedes
George Russell is not happy with his brakes.
He is running third at the moment.
57/71: Norris leads, Verstappen is flying, and Piastri is fifth
Lando Norris is in the lead of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris leads Kimi Antonelli by 5.4 seconds and is 8 seconds ahead of George Russell.
Max Verstappen is on new soft tyres and he is FLYING.
Verstappen is going for the win. He is 13 seconds away from Norris.
Oscar Piastri is fifth, 16 seconds off the lead.
54/71: Max Verstappen pits, Norris leads
Red Bull did not believe Max Verstappen could make it to the end of the race on those tyres.
Verstappen pits, and he comes out in fourth.
He is ahead of Liam Lawson, and closely behind his Oscar Piastri.
53/71: Verstappen leads by 7.4 seconds to Norris
Max Verstappen is the race leader.
He leads by 7.4 seconds over Lando Norris.
Norris is on fresher tyres, and he is catching the Dutchman.
The Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are third and fourth.
Oscar Piastri is in seventh, and needs to do some overtaking to try and achieve a podium.
51/71: Oscar Piastri pits
Oscar Piastri has pitted for a second time.
The Australian comes out in seventh, behind the Haas driver of Oliver Bearman.
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