Outrage as McLaren secret slips out over Oscar Piastri penalty
Aussie Oscar Piastri has been left feeling aggrieved after a wild British Grand Prix where a 10-second penalty cost him a likely race win.
As McLaren teammate Lando Norris charged to win his home race at Silverstone, Piastri was desperately searching for a solution that would have stopped his world championship lead from being slashed to just eight points.
Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
The 24-year-old was feeling hard done by after being handed a penalty for an unsafe race re-start on Lap 22 where his sudden braking before a safety car was called into the pits at late notice resulted in Max Verstappen needing to take evasive action.
The penalty, announce after a quick FIA review, created a nightmare situation for the McLaren garage.
All it was going to take was another safety to force the team to make its biggest call of the year.
With both drivers in a pit stop window in the middle laps of the race, another safety car in the wet and wild conditions would have forced team bosses to make a call between their two drivers.
Watch the moment Oscar Piastri was penalised for in the video above
The prospect of forcing Norris to double stack while his teammate served a 10 second penalty in the pits would have left local fans ready to tear the place apart.
The only alternative would have been to order Piastri to give the race lead to his teammate and be double stacked in the pits.
The team was fortuitous to avoid the nightmare scenario, but team principal Andre Stella explained after the race it was Piastri who would have been given priority.
'In reality, the way we manage the situation, given the penalty, was to allow Oscar, despite the penalty, in case of a safety car, to retain the lead, because if there was a safety car, both guys would have pitted,' he said after Norris' race win, per The Race.
'Oscar would have paid the penalty. Lando could have waited. And the two McLarens would have gone out in the same order as they came in.
'But at the point in which we needed to have the transition of the dry tyres, then the penalty was paid, and at that stage we thought that we should just retain the natural order gained through the penalty.'
Stella's comments have caused outrage among Norris' legion of fans.
A complaint made by one Norris supporter, where they said Stella's comments left them 'lost for words', has gone viral on X.
There were many other social media users that were furious when hearing how Piastri would have been given the advantage.
One posted: 'I had a feeling that in case of a safety car and penalty they will still pit Oscar first and Lando will be screwed over massively.
'This is not fair racing. This is punishing a driver for another driver's mistake which is absolutely insane.'
One wrote: 'Absolutely disgusting from the team, but I'm not surprised.
'Lando will have to fight really hard for every win but I'm 100 per cent confident he can make it happen.'
Stella's comments will only add to rumours that have previously suggested McLaren made a conscious call to prioritise Piastri's title tilt when Max Verstappen was still seen as a serious threat.
However, McLaren also showed a clear sign they do not have a dog in the fight as Piastri and Norris slug it out for the title when Piastri's request for Norris to let him pass late in the race was rejected.
It was a desperate request from a driver who hoped his team disagreed with FIA stewards as much as he did about the penalty handed down earlier.
Piastri asked the team on radio late in the race: 'I don't think the penalty before was very fair. I know it's a big question, but if you don't think it was fair either, I think we should swap back and race'.
His race engineer, Tom Stallard, didn't take long to inform Piastri that his wish would not be granted.
Despite his complaints, Piastri admitted the team's decision was 'fair'.
'I thought I would ask the question,' Piastri said.
'I knew what the answer was going to be before I asked, but I just wanted a small glimmer of hope that maybe I could get it back. But no, I knew it wasn't going to happen.'
Piastri was much more angry about the penalty itself.
'I don't really understand it,' he said later.
'I need to look back and see it again because I don't think I did anything different or anything wrong,' he said.
'I mean I did what I did at the first restart and, apparently, one needed a penalty and other didn't.
'I thought the penalty... was pretty bad.'
Verstappen's reaction in the moment on Red Bull team radio was telling. 'Woah, mate,' Verstappen said. 'He just suddenly again slows down!'
But the Red Bull driver was still surprised by the penalty.
'It caught me out on cold tyres,' Verstappen explained. 'I only found out after the race [that Piastri was penalised]. It has happened to me a few times, this kind of scenario. I find it strange that Oscar is the first to receive 10 seconds for it.'
It was McLaren's first home triumph at Silverstone since seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton won in 2008. For Norris, it was a first home win, his fourth win of the year and the eighth of his career.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
14 minutes ago
- News.com.au
2025 Hyundai Inster Cross review
The Hyundai Inster Cross is a tiny little thing that has a lot of attitude. Like one of those yappy little pocket mutts that thinks it can take on Rottweilers and Blue Heelers at the dog park. The range-topping version of the Inster is a $45,000 plus on-roads proposition, meaning you're going to be shelling out more than $50K to get this minute commuter into your driveway. While it might have cutesy design and cool cleverness inside, that's a huge price for something so small. You could choose any number of more practical SUVs for similar money, or less – the MG S5EV stands out, or the BYD Atto 3. But if you're drawn to the design (understandable) and can work within the parameters of this car (questionable), it could be a delight to live with. The Cross version has a heap of great spec and tech, including heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, climate control with a heat pump, and even vehicle-to-load charging, which can allow you to power appliances using the car's battery. It's not the biggest battery in the class, with a claimed driving range of 360km for the Cross model with the sunroof. There's also a version with a roof basket that has just 293km of range. But unlike some cheaper EV rivals, this one has fast charging on its side. The AC rate is up to 10.5kW, meaning recharges in about 4 hours using three-phase power. Public charging capability is good too, with 120kW charging speeds meaning you should be able to get from 10-80% in 30 mins. It's a zippy, urgent feeling thing to drive thanks to instant torque. It pulls away from traffic lights and slips into traffic gaps with ease, and the Cross model gets a clever urban-friendly inclusions like a surround-view camera system and a blind-spot camera display, too. But some of the safety tech is, frankly, shitful. There's a driver monitoring camera system which incessantly chimes at you when you're using any of the screen tech, while the speed sign recognition and warning system is painful. You can turn those things off if you're chime-triggered like me, but it's tedious to do each time you get back in the car. (And yes, there is a mute button to shut the overspeed warning up, but the car will still chime to tell you that you've entered a new speed zone… sometimes even if you haven't!) While it drives great at pace and in town over bumps and lumps, be mindful that it can feel a bit bigger than it is when you're trying to do a speedy U-turn or parking in a tight spot, as the steering weights up at low speeds, and its long-ish wheelbase means it doesn't have the smallest turning circle for such a little car. Now, it is little, and it's only a four-seater. Plus there's no spare wheel. But if you're okay with that, there's a clever sliding second-row bench system, and in the Cross you can flatten the seats so you can camp inside… if you're small. The cabin design is lovely though, especially with the Dark Grey + Amazonas Khaki interior trim – no cost with some exterior colours, and speaking of which, the Amazonas Matte Green paint is a $1000 extra. And while the tech is decent (thankfully, there are lots of buttons!), the media system doesn't include wireless smartphone mirroring. So you gotta plug in, and you have to keep a cable sitting messily in front of the passenger. Otherwise though, there's reasonable cabin cleverness, aside from the cupholders - which are integrated into the front 'not-actually-a-bench' seat. You won't want to bump your coffee down there! Look, this is an interesting thing, but more of a novelty than an actually convincing electric car option for a pragmatic customer. All bark, no bite, then? 3.0 stars Hyundai Inster Cross BATTERY: 49kWh NMC ENERGY CONSUMPTION: 15.1kWh per 100km claim, 15.5kWh per 100km on test
News.com.au
23 minutes ago
- News.com.au
NRL Round 19 Team Talk and live SuperCoach question and answer session
What a bittersweet round that was. The post-TLT injuries to the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen (more on him below) and Euan Aitken saw me reverse course and buy Mark Nawaqanitawase (more on him below). That was a win. Putting the armband on James Tedesco was not a 'win' but was not a loss. Watching the Tigers beat my Roosters live was a loss. Thoroughly deserved win by the way - well played. Watching Kaeo Weekes rip it up against the Dragons after I labelled him 'rocks or diamonds' was tough (yes I could argue that was the 'diamonds' but I'll be honest I was not expecting his diamond to shine that bright!). Enough of my laments, let's get into the Buy/Hold/Sell analysis - with the disclaimer that Origin injuries could alter some takes below. Connor Watson - Hooker is a really tough position this year. How tough? In 2025 just three HOK eligible players (Connor Watson (67PPG), Blayke Brailey (60PPG) and Cam McInnes (60PPG)) are averaging better than 60PPG. In 2024 six players finished with a 60PPG (or better) average. Watson is clearly leading the position in terms of average this year, starting at hooker and then often spending some time either at 13 or on an edge. With a base that sits just below 50 and excellent attack - he is top five for tries and try assists (sixth if you include HOK eligible halfback Sandon Smith) all despite playing significantly fewer games than his competitors - Watson is the hooker I want to finish the season. Having played just 35 minutes combined over Origin I and II, I expect Watson to backup from game III and play near enough 80 minutes against the Dragons this round. Mark Nawaqanitawase/Zac Lomax/Val Holmes - The rugby convert lacks the goalkicking floor of the likes of Val Holmes (GK adding 10.6PPG) and Zac Lomax (GK adding 9PPG). He is also 'outworked' by both; in Lomax's case by a whopping 11PPG in base, with Holmes it's a less significant 3PPG. But what Nawaqanitawase has been doing so much better than both his rivals is breaking lines and scoring tries with his tallies in each of those statistical areas better than Lomax and Homes combined. As I mentioned last week, the Roosters have a mixed draw for the remainder of the season, with tough match-ups against the Storm (twice) and Bulldogs, the major obstacles. I still think Lomax and Holmes are the safer options, but you also cannot ignore the fact that each of those players has hit triple figures just once this year while Mark N has done it twice. If you can handle his odd rock then maybe his diamonds make it all worthwhile. VERDICT: ALL THREE ARE BUYS HOW MANY YOU NEED IS UP TO YOU Nathan Cleary - While 2025 has been Nathan Cleary's worst season in the past six years, he's still averaging 6PPG more than the nest best halfback (Nicho Hynes). The Panthers have won their past four matches and while they're certainly not the juggernaut of years gone past they do seem to be finally finding their mojo. Penrith's next five opponents (Eels (15th), Souths (16th), Wests Tigers (14th), Titans (17th) and Knights (13th) are the current bottom five on the ladder. With plenty to play for and a full 3.5 days break between Origin III and the Eels game then I expect Cleary to backup after the Blues beat Queensland on Wednesday night. Should he do so I think he's almost a must have buy. VERDICT: BUY Angus Crichton - In 2024 the Mighty Angus averaged a mighty 78PPG. So far this year his return has been a little more pedestrian with the Roosters edge forward averaging just 65PPG. The good news is there's nothing fundamentally wrong/changed around Crichton. He is in fact averaging slightly higher base and almost the same tackle busts/offloads. The work is there. The dramatic drop off has been tries and try assists. In 2024 Crichton averaged almost 14PPG across those two areas. In 2025 he is returning just 1.5PPG across the two key attacking areas with just one try and zero assists. Priced at $584K Crichton is worth a pick-up even if you don't believe the attacking stats will return. He's a bargain if, like me, you expect the return of crafty half Sam Walker to result in at least a couple of pies for his favourite hole running edge forward. VERDICT: BUY Ezra Mam - Since making his return from suspension, Mam has had just the one bad game (41 vs. Manly in round 13) and has averaged 83PPG across the other five matches. The Broncos have a rather soft draw for the run home with just two tough games (Storm in rounds 23 and 27) left and the rest all very positive. That said, the Bronx also have a round 20 bye which is not ideal. At a position which seems full of somewhat risky plays then Mam is far from the worst option. I still prefer Jayden Campbell (from round 20 onwards) and probably Cam Munster too but at a tough position Mam is a buy. VERDICT: BUY Ryan Papenhuyzen - The Storm full-back's withdrawal from the match against the Cowboys (Calf tightness) is a worry. His recent form - a three-round average (3RA) of 61.7PPG and 5RA of 56.6PPG - is not great. Put the two together and I'm making the 'brave' call to sack Paps and replace him at flex with Cleary. The upside is obvious, as someone who captained him when he scored 182 versus the Wests Tigers, I'm well aware of it. And I expect Papenhuyzen will benefit from having the Origin spine stars Munster and Grant back too. I'm not saying this is the move for everyone, but if like me you're hovering around the top 5% and want to make a move up then axing someone who is widely owned (Paps was in 90% of top 5% teams at the start of this week) and replacing him with a player with equal upside but far lower ownership (Cleary was in just 24% of top 5% teams at the start of the week) is the way to do it. VERDICT: SELL Sandon Smith - The return of Sam Walker likely sends Smith to the bench where he'll become the number 14. VERDICT: SELL Lyhkan King-Togia - Came into round 18 on a run of decent form. Could not get any attack going whatsoever and I feel a Flanagan axing looms. VERDICT: SELL Joseph Tapine - The big Raider has done a 'reverse Tapine' averaging 78PPG over the opening portion of the season and falling in a hole in the mid to latter part of the season. On a bye this week and then with the Rd 24 bye to serve too he's a sell. Tom Starling - Many of us held Starling hoping to farewell him after some attacking stats against the Dragons. The minutes held up, the attack never came as the Raiders instead spun it wide and tore the weak St George wingers to shreds. See above re Canberra's bye schedule.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
McDonald says it's too early to judge whether Konstas will make it at Test level
St George's: Australian coach Andrew McDonald says selectors remain committed to Sam Konstas, despite the young batter's modest returns in the early stages of his Test career. After scores of 3, 5, 25 and 0 in Australia's two Test victories over the West Indies in the Caribbean, things will get even more challenging for the 19-year-old in a pink ball day-night fixture in Jamaica starting Saturday (Sunday morning AEST). From four Tests, Konstas has made 146 runs at an average of 18.25. His first-class average is 31.66. McDonald said the sample size was too small to form definitive judgments on the teenager's long-term prospects and praised his efforts to be more proactive at the crease during the second Test in Grenada. 'Four games, eight innings - it's probably early for anyone to judge really,' McDonald said. 'I think the challenges in Test cricket aren't necessarily always a skill level or your technique. It's dealing with the moments, the pressure, all the other things that externally come with that as well. He's a player finding his feet in the environment. Do we think he's good enough? Yes, we do. '[It was] a small step forward in the last game with that first innings. His first 20-odd balls [in the first innings] he had positive intent. He was moving a lot better compared to the game before, where it looked like he was stuck in the middle and didn't know whether to play a shot ... either ultra-aggressive or ultra-defensive. 'I'm not going to say it's a huge step forward, but it was a small step forward last Test match, and we look forward to him growing as a player in this environment.' McDonald indicated Australia would likely stick with the same XI in Kingston for what is now a dead rubber, with the series already wrapped up.
