Leclerc Reflects on Frustrating Sao Paulo GP and Piastri Collision
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix turned into a day of frustration for Charles Leclerc as his Ferrari suffered an early exit following a dramatic Turn 1 collision. The incident involved Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli, and it ultimately left Leclerc forced to retire after losing a tyre in the chaos. Speaking after the race, Leclerc suggested that Piastri did not deserve all the blame for what happened, offering a more balanced perspective on a clash that ended Ferrari’s hopes of another podium finish.
The crash unfolded shortly after a Safety Car restart, as Piastri attempted to move up the inside of Antonelli at the first corner. Leclerc was running alongside the pair when Piastri locked up and made contact with Antonelli, whose Mercedes then collided with Leclerc’s SF-25. While Piastri received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, Leclerc felt the blame was shared more equally between the Australian and Antonelli. “I really think Kimi knew and was aware that Oscar was on the inside,” Leclerc explained. “You cannot really do a corner like nobody is on the inside if someone is there, no matter how far he is. For me, it’s more of a 50-50 blame.”
Also Read:- The Next Decade of Venus Exploration: Five Missions to Unlock Its Secrets
- Schools Closed Tomorrow in Several States Due to Elections, AQI, and Fairs
Leclerc admitted the outcome was particularly frustrating, given his promising starting position in P3. Following two consecutive podiums in Austin and Mexico, he had hoped for another strong result. “I don’t know if there was anything more than a podium, but a podium for sure was possible,” he said. Unfortunately, both he and Lewis Hamilton failed to finish, leaving Ferrari to drop to fourth in the Teams’ Championship, behind Mercedes and Red Bull.
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella also commented on the incident, describing Piastri’s penalty as “harsh” and noting that Antonelli could have done more to avoid the collision. Stella emphasized that while the stewards’ decisions must be respected, the responsibility was not solely on Piastri. Meanwhile, Piastri finished fifth, while his teammate Lando Norris claimed victory from pole, extending his championship lead over Piastri to 24 points with only three rounds remaining.
For Leclerc, the focus now will be on regrouping and looking forward to the remaining races. Despite the setback, he remains determined to compete for strong finishes and keep pressure on his rivals in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings. The Sao Paulo GP, though frustrating, serves as a reminder of how fine the margins are in Formula 1 and how quickly fortunes can change in a single corner.
Read More:
0 Comments