Following a 10-second penalty at the British Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri has spent several weeks analyzing the incident and how to prevent similar issues in future races. The McLaren driver also took time to discuss the matter directly with the FIA, which resulted in mutual understanding and learning between both parties. His response to the Oscar Piastri FIA penalty response highlights a thoughtful approach to adapting under new regulations.
Details Behind the Penalty Incident at Silverstone
During the British Grand Prix, Piastri was leading the race and appeared set to secure a win until the penalty disrupted his progress. On Lap 22, as the safety car was preparing to restart the race by turning off its lights, Piastri abruptly slowed from 218 km/h to 52 km/h. This sudden deceleration caused the trailing drivers to react sharply, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing was nearly involved in a collision while avoiding Piastri’s maneuver.
Race stewards judged this move as erratic behavior and issued the 10-second penalty. Piastri served it during his final pit stop, which allowed his teammate Lando Norris to take the lead and ultimately change the race outcome.
Emotional Response and Initial Frustration
Piastri expressed clear frustration immediately following the race. He noted that the braking technique he used had been employed during the safety car period for several laps without issue, saying,
Apparently you can’t brake behind the safety car anymore. I mean, I did it for five laps before that.
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren Driver
However, he held back from expressing further criticism, adding,
I’m not going to say too much, because I’ll get myself in trouble.
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren Driver
Insight Gained from Reviewing Data and FIA Discussions
With ample time to review the penalty since the start of the month, Piastri’s perspective has shifted to a more balanced view. Engaging with his McLaren team, he carefully examined the data related to the incident and spoke directly with the FIA to clarify the regulatory interpretation.
He remarked,
I think there’s been a lot of learning on both sides,
and acknowledged that while he still held personal feelings about the penalty, he was moving on. Piastri compared the maneuver to similar ones performed in the past by himself and other drivers, stating,
Obviously if it needs to be penalized now, then that’s fine. I know that for the future. But obviously immediately after the race, I was frustrated.
His dialogue with the FIA also involved discussing how the situation might have been managed differently from both perspectives, as he explained,
We’ve had discussions with the FIA, and like I said, I think there was learning on both sides about how that situation could have been handled differently.
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren Driver
Adjusting Strategy Moving Forward
While Piastri cannot speak for the FIA’s official stance, he shared his personal takeaway and plans regarding the maneuver.
He stated frankly,
For myself, I mean, I won’t brake as hard next time,
and added,
I think also now, the threshold is a bit clearer on where that stands. So I will just simply not brake as hard.
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren Driver
This measured response reflects a commitment to adapt his driving style in line with the updated rules, ensuring smoother interactions behind the safety car in future races.
Implications for McLaren and the 2025 Season
The penalty incident at Silverstone exposed the fine line drivers must navigate with evolving FIA regulations during the 2025 Formula 1 season. For McLaren, the situation has emphasized the importance of clear communication and analysis between teams and the FIA to avoid similar penalties that can affect race results.
As Piastri and his team prepare for upcoming events like the Belgian Grand Prix, this episode could serve as a catalyst for refining race strategies under new rule changes. The FIA’s firm stance on erratic behavior signals that drivers will need to carefully moderate their maneuvers, especially in safety car periods, to maintain competitive momentum without risking punitive measures.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Oscar Piastri a nice person?
A. This might be the first time Oscar Piastri, usually calm and friendly, seemed upset after a race. His reaction could be called “grumpy.”
Q. Has Oscar Piastri ever won a race in F1?
A. Piastri secured his spot for 2024 and won his first race in Hungary, becoming the fifth Australian to win a Formula One Grand Prix. He repeated this success in Azerbaijan.
Q. Is Oscar Piastri an introvert?
A. During a 2023 interview with this publication, Piastri mentioned that he is an introvert.
Q. Has Oscar Piastri ever won a race?
A. Piastri claimed victory in seven Formula One races over three years. He grew up in Melbourne and started with radio-controlled racing. At 10, he transitioned to karting. In 2016, he advanced to junior formula racing and secured his first championship win in the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup with R-ace GP.
