Steiner Criticizes McLaren for Not Defending Piastri's Brazil Penalty

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has strongly criticized McLaren for their inaction in defending Oscar Piastri after he received a controversial 10-second penalty at the São Paulo Grand Prix. Many in the paddock, including Charles Leclerc, the driver directly affected, felt the penalty was underserved, leading Steiner to question McLaren's decision not to challenge the stewards' ruling.

Why it matters:

• A team's willingness to defend its drivers in contentious situations can significantly impact morale, public perception, and the overall fighting spirit within the organization. Steiner's comments highlight a perceived lack of advocacy from McLaren, especially when the penalty was widely considered unjust.
• The incident also reignites the debate around consistent stewarding decisions in Formula 1 and the balance between aggressive racing and penalty imposition.

The Details:

• Controversial Penalty: Oscar Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty after an incident at Turn 1 during the race restart in São Paulo. Contact with Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes led to Charles Leclerc's Ferrari retiring from the race.
• Leclerc's Stance: Even Charles Leclerc, the primary casualty, did not directly blame Piastri, stating, "I mean, it wasn't Oscar's fault." This lack of blame from the affected driver is central to Steiner's argument that McLaren should have contested the decision.
• Steiner's Outburst: Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner slammed McLaren, questioning, "Why you don't go there and at least say something to the stewards?" He emphasized that when the impacted driver doesn't assign blame, it provides a strong basis for an appeal.
• Racing vs. Rules: Steiner argued that over-regulation and inconsistent penalty interpretations are eroding the essence of racing, suggesting that excessive penalties discourage genuine on-track battles.
• Psychological Impact: Steiner stressed that even if an appeal doesn't succeed, the act of fighting for a driver is crucial for team psychology, showing unity and a commitment to defending one's own. He believes it sends a message to both the drivers and the team staff that everyone is doing their best and not just letting decisions slide.

What's next:

While McLaren did not contest the penalty, the incident has fueled discussions about stewarding consistency and team advocacy in F1. Piastri, now 24 points behind teammate Lando Norris in the Drivers' standings, faces a significant challenge to close the gap. Steiner's critique serves as a reminder that beyond the race results, the integrity of competition and the solidarity within a team are vital components of Formula 1.