Piastri frustrated as penalty costs him British GP victory

A COUPLE of races ago, it looked like Oscar Piastri was firmly on course to win the World Championship with McLaren, but after Sunday’s dramatic outing at Silverstone, the young Australian showed that he is human after all.

- JEHRAN NAIDOO

It was the first time this season fans and fellow drivers saw any real emotion from the usually composed 24-year-old, who openly vented his frustrations over a steward’s decision that cost him victory.

Piastri had been leading the race but was hit with a 10-second time penalty for braking “erratically” behind the safety car. The penalty allowed his teammate Lando Norris to capitalise, taking the win and narrowing the championship gap from 15 points to just eight.

The incident occurred after the safety car was deployed following a crash involving Isack Hadjar. Piastri, travelling at over 200 km/h, suddenly slowed to around 60 km/h in rainy conditions, causing Max Verstappen — behind him — to take evasive action.