Antonelli says Piastri at fault as Brazil penalty debate erupts again

18:03, 20 Nov

Updated: 20:39, 20 Nov

byShayni Solanki

Kimi Antonelli places the blame on McLaren driver Oscar Piastri for their Turn 1 incident during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Antonelli commented on the controversial 10-second time penalty given to Piastri for colliding with Antonelli and Charles Leclerc at Interlagos.

In an attempt to overtake the Mercedes, Piastri locked up and collided with Leclerc, who was forced to retire from the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Photo: Race Pictures

If you stand by the driver's guidelines, Oscar is wrong.

- Kimi Antonelli

Antonelli said: "If you stand by the driver's guidelines, Oscar is wrong.

"And, you know, the stewards stand by the guidelines, and that's why the penalty was given.

"In Zandvoort, I was penalised. Obviously, it was a bit different, but the dynamic was kind of the same, you know.

"I was not fully alongside in Zandvoort and I collided with Charles, and I got my penalty.

"With Oscar, the thing is, yes, approaching the breaking zone, he was alongside me, but when we braked, he braked much earlier than me."

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The 10-second time penalty handed to Piastri resulted in a P5 finish while Antonelli stood on the podium alongside the race-winner Lando Norris.

Drivers and fans alike have been discussing the harshness of the penalty all week, with F1's driving guidelines will be discussed again in Qatar next weekend.

Antonelli continued: "You know, then obviously we were also three wide, which is never easy. I mean, the thing also, everything happens so quick that it's hard."

"Maybe it can be a bit unfair, maybe it was a racing incident because the situation was tricky.

"But the rules are this, and that's why in Qatar we will discuss about it for the future, to try to make it better."

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