Palmer on the 'Skill Test' Piastri Failed But Verstappen Passed in Brazil

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has analyzed why Oscar Piastri crashed out of the Brazilian sprint race while Max Verstappen managed to save his car, highlighting a critical 'skill test' in tricky conditions.

Why it matters:

The incident at the Brazilian sprint race underscores the razor-thin margins and exceptional car control required at the pinnacle of Formula 1. Piastri's crash had significant championship implications, widening the gap to his teammate Lando Norris and impacting his overall season standing. Verstappen's save, on the other hand, further cemented his reputation for unparalleled car control and adaptability.

The details:

• The Brazilian sprint race featured incredibly challenging conditions, with standing water in specific parts of the circuit, notably on the inside kerb of Turn 3, while other sections remained dry.
• Lando Norris navigated the opening corners cleanly, but his car did spray water at Turn 3, almost catching out Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
• Piastri, however, lost control of his MCL39 at Turn 3, spinning into the barrier and retiring from the race. This corner also claimed Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto shortly after Piastri's incident.
• Max Verstappen also encountered the water at Turn 3, momentarily losing control of his RB21 before expertly catching the car and continuing in the race.
• Palmer's Analysis: Jolyon Palmer explained that 'millimetres matter, and your absolute level of skill matters as well' in such conditions. He noted that Verstappen also headed towards the kerb in a similar zone to Piastri, experiencing a 'big slide' and a 'massive moment' but managed to control it.
• Palmer emphasized that this was 'another example of Verstappen's great driving talent and skill, innate to keep himself going,' suggesting it wasn't a 'dozy mistake' but rather drivers pushing the absolute limit.

The big picture:

Piastri's crash had tangible consequences for his championship aspirations. Entering the Brazilian Grand Prix one point behind Norris, he finished the sprint race nine points adrift. Further contact with Kimi Antonelli in the main Grand Prix resulted in a 10-second penalty, causing him to finish fifth and fall 24 points behind Norris. Piastri's recent form has seen only one victory (Dutch Grand Prix) since the summer break and no podium finishes since the Italian Grand Prix in early September.

What's next:

With the championship battle intensifying, every point and every incident carries significant weight. Piastri will need to demonstrate strong recovery and consistency in the remaining races to close the gap to Norris and secure a robust championship position. Verstappen's continued display of exceptional car control in challenging conditions reinforces his status as a benchmark driver in the sport.