After a commanding drive at Silverstone that showed pace and composure in changing conditions, Oscar Piastri walked away from the 2025 British GP feeling robbed.
The McLaren driver crossed the line second on track behind teammate Lando Norris, but a ten-second penalty for his actions behind the Safety Car saw him stripped of the chance to fight for the win.
What happened during the British GP?
Piastri was at a loss when asked to explain the circumstances of the penalty. “I hit the brakes. At the same time I did that, the lights on the Safety Car went out, which was also extremely late. And then obviously, I didn’t accelerate because I can control the pace from there. And, yeah, you saw the result. I didn’t do anything differently to my first restart. I didn’t go any slower. I didn’t do anything differently. So, a shame,” Piastri told media.
The incident occurred during one of several Safety Car periods in a race marked by variable weather and dramatic changes of fortune. Piastri had been leading the British GP at the time, having overtaken Max Verstappen earlier in the race with a bold move into Stowe.
When asked if he would seek clarification or speak with the stewards about the penalty, Piastri sounded disillusioned. “I don’t know. I don’t think it’s worth doing at the moment. I’m not sure it’s going to be very constructive in all honesty. I don’t know. But I don’t really care at the moment.”
A good day after all?
Despite his frustration, Piastri acknowledged the strength of his drive and the overall performance of the team, comparing it to McLaren’s impressive showing at the British GP in 2024. “A lot. I think it was a really, really good day. A similar race to here 12 months ago and a very different outcome for the whole team. The whole team did a really good job. The car was obviously mega, and giving myself credit, I feel like I did a good job today. So, it just makes it more painful when you don’t win.”
The emotional weight of the result was clear in his voice when asked how long it would take to move on. “I don’t know. It obviously hurts at the moment. It’s a different hurt though because I know I deserved a lot more than what I got today. I felt like I drove a really strong race. Ultimately, when you don’t get the result you think you deserve, it hurts, especially when it’s not in your control.”
One of the most pointed questions came around the consistency of stewarding, referencing Canada’s restart controversy earlier this year. Piastri responded: “I don’t know how different it was. I can only comment on what I felt I did, which I felt was well within the rules, and I did it once already in that race. So, yeah. I don’t really get it. I’ll go have a look back.”
Papaya rules or team orders?
When he served the penalty late in the race and saw Norris ahead, Piastri made a radio request to his team, asking if a position swap could be possible. He explained: “Yeah. I thought I would ask the question. 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.”
He made it clear, however, that he held no ill will toward his teammate. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Lando didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t think it would have been particularly fair to have swapped, but I thought I’d at least ask. It doesn’t change much for the championship. I feel like I did a good job today. I did what I needed to. That’s all I need, and I will use the frustration to make sure I win some more races later.”
The stewards cited Verstappen needing to take evasive action as justification for the penalty. Piastri disagreed with the assessment. “I don’t think he had to evade me. I think he managed the first time. Going back to Canada, I think you had to evade more there than you did today. So, yeah, I’m a bit confused to say the least.”
While Norris celebrated his first home victory at the British GP and Nico Hülkenberg stole headlines with an emotional first podium, it was Piastri’s quiet disappointment that stood out. In a year where the championship remains open, and McLaren continues to be a force, this result may prove to be a pivotal psychological moment for the young Australian.
