Piastri Admits Sprint Crash Error After 'Bizarre' Brazil Qualifying

Oscar Piastri has admitted he shouldn't have used the kerb that led to his Sprint race retirement in Brazil, following a "bizarre" qualifying session that placed him P4 for Sunday's main race. Despite a challenging weekend, Piastri will start on the second row, with teammate Lando Norris securing pole and Kimi Antonelli in second.

Why it matters:

Piastri's confession and the mixed weekend highlight the fine margins and unpredictable nature of F1 racing, especially in challenging conditions. For McLaren, securing strong positions for both drivers is crucial for their championship ambitions, and Piastri's ability to rebound from disappointment will be key to his ongoing title charge.

The details:

• Sprint Race Incident: Piastri retired from the Sprint race while running third. He spun his rear wheels exiting Turn 2, which sent him into the barrier on the outside of Turn 3. He was not alone, as Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto were similarly caught out moments later.
• Kerb Usage: Piastri acknowledged his use of the kerb contributed to the crash. "Probably shouldn't have been on the kerb anyway," he stated, suggesting that standing water on the track, potentially from other drivers, exacerbated the issue. He noted that he took a similar line to cars ahead, but the consequences for him were severe.
• Qualifying Struggles: The qualifying session for Sunday's race was described as "bizarre" by Piastri. He noted that the soft tire "just not working for some reason" and found it "quite weird" to have almost no lap time improvement across Q1, Q2, and Q3.
• Team Performance Contrast: While Piastri struggled to extract pace, clocking a final Q3 lap slower than his Q2 effort, Lando Norris secured pole with consistent improvements across the sessions, emphasizing the varied experiences within the same team under difficult conditions.

The big picture:

This weekend in Interlagos has been a microcosm of the challenges F1 drivers face: rapidly changing track conditions, the search for every millisecond, and the mental resilience required to recover from setbacks. Piastri's candid admission shows his analytical approach, even as he grapples with a car that isn't "flowing that easily." The nine-point gap that opened between him and Norris after the Sprint further underscores the high stakes.

What's next:

Piastri will aim to convert his P4 grid slot into significant points in Sunday's main race. His ability to move past the Sprint incident and the "bizarre" qualifying will be critical. The team will undoubtedly be analyzing data to understand the tire performance issues and ensure both cars are optimized for race day, as they continue their push in the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships.