Oscar Piastri has accepted his penalty from the Mexico City Grand Prix for his collision with Arvid Lindblad, but has questioned the relevance of Formula 1 driving rules in situations like this. The Australian driver stated that the guidelines are complicated to enforce in corners with immediate directional changes.
During the race, Piastri attempted to place his McLaren on the outside of the first corner, aiming to achieve the inside line of the next. At that moment, Lindblad’s rear left wheels came into contact with Piastri’s front right wheel, causing the Racing Bulls vehicle to lift and end up crashing into the safety barrier.
Piastri received a 10-second penalty, which made him lose seventh place, finishing in thirteenth position due to the collapse of the group after the safety car’s departure.
The current rules state that a driver wishing to overtake on the inside must have their front axle aligned with the mirrors of the vehicle in front. Conversely, those using the outside line must have the axle aligned with that of the defending vehicle. Piastri believes this situation creates confusion: ‘Each corner is slightly different, and when the only option to avoid an incident is to go off track, it’s not the best situation.’
Additionally, the driver has defended his action arguing that Lindblad robustly defended his position and that he also had the right to attempt an overtake up until the moment of the collision.
Looking towards the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Piastri hopes for a cleaner race in McLaren’s attempt to recover third place in the constructors’ championship against Red Bull. After the Austin Grand Prix, the team is 17 points behind the Milton Keynes outfit.
For the Brazilian race, McLaren has introduced a revised front wing, designed to aid in the development of their 2027 car and to improve the maneuverability of the current MCL41, which has been characterized by requiring a more aggressive driving style. ‘I don’t think I need to do anything spectacular; I just wish for the race to be cleaner,’ Piastri explained.
The new components of the vehicle could facilitate better handling. According to Piastri, it’s crucial to continue working on the aspects that have been occupying them, without forcing situations that do not add anything to the competition.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
