Why was Oscar Piastri penalised at Silverstone when George Russell wasn’t for his actions behind the security automotive in Canada? Is the distinction that one was within the moist and subsequently visibility restricted? – Nick
It is a query Piastri was clearly asking himself after the British Grand Prix, even when he didn’t say so in fairly so many phrases.
Consistency of stewards’ opinions is one thing groups and drivers are always asking for, and on the face of it this does appear like a contradiction.
The 2 incidents had been very comparable. In Canada, Russell braked and Max Verstappen handed him. At Silverstone, Piastri did the identical with the identical consequence.
In Canada, the stewards took no motion, and rejected a post-race protest from Purple Bull. At Silverstone, Piastri misplaced the win as a consequence of a 10-second penalty.
There have been some variations, nonetheless. The brake strain Piastri utilized, whereas completely regular for a braking occasion behind a security automotive, was greater than double Russell’s. And the situations had been completely different – moist quite than dry – with the diminished visibility that got here from that.
Verstappen made it clear he didn’t view the incidents that otherwise, nonetheless.
After Sunday’s race, he was requested if he thought Piastri deserved a penalty.
“The factor is that it occurred to me now just a few instances, this sort of situation,” Verstappen stated. “I simply discover it unusual that out of the blue now Oscar is the primary one to obtain 10 seconds.”
As a result of there was no distinction to what Russell did in Canada?
“Effectively, to the stewards, sure,” Verstappen replied.
Piastri stated he felt he had executed every part throughout the guidelines, and implied he had been unfortunate to be braking on the similar time the security automotive lights went out to point a restart – the time after which drivers are usually not allowed “erratic braking nor every other manoeuvre which is more likely to endanger different drivers”.
Purple Bull crew principal Christian Horner stated: “I wasn’t shocked to see him get a penalty. That was what you’ll anticipate.”
McLaren crew principal Andrea Stella stated he felt the penalty was “very harsh” and he would focus on it with the stewards.
He stated McLaren had made the purpose throughout the race it must be checked out afterwards.
“I feel we must always have checked intimately the opinion of the drivers concerned,” he stated. “We must always have checked why the security automotive was known as in so late after which put collectively all the weather such that the choice might be as honest as attainable.”
