Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda Handed Costly Penalties at the Brazilian Grand Prix
The 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix turned into a weekend of frustration and penalties for Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda, as both drivers were slapped with 10-second time penalties following separate on-track incidents. The penalties further complicated what had already been a chaotic race at Interlagos, where several drivers struggled to maintain control amid changing track conditions and close racing battles.
Piastri’s Misfortune Continues
For Oscar Piastri, the race began with optimism but quickly spiraled into disappointment. During a safety car restart, the McLaren driver became involved in an unfortunate clash at Turn 1 with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. As the field bunched up for the restart, Piastri attempted to hold his line but made contact with Antonelli’s car. The impact caused Antonelli to lose control and collide with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, resulting in significant damage to the Monegasque’s vehicle.
While both Piastri and Antonelli were able to continue racing, Leclerc’s car suffered terminal damage, forcing him to retire from the race prematurely. The incident drew immediate attention from the FIA stewards, who reviewed the collision using multiple camera angles and telemetry data. After deliberation, they concluded that Piastri was “predominantly at fault” for the contact, and thus imposed a 10-second time penalty in addition to two penalty points on his racing license.
This outcome marked yet another setback for the young Australian, whose weekend in Brazil has been plagued with difficulties. Just a day earlier, he had crashed during the sprint race, losing valuable points and momentum in the championship battle. The penalty not only dropped Piastri further down the order but also dealt a blow to McLaren’s hopes of maintaining their position in the Constructors’ Championship.
Tsunoda’s Incident with Stroll
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda also found himself in trouble with the stewards after an incident involving Lance Stroll. The Red Bull driver appeared to misjudge his braking as he approached the corner, locking up and losing control just before the apex. As a result, he made heavy contact with Stroll’s Aston Martin, spinning the Canadian off the track and compromising his race entirely.
The collision was swiftly investigated, with race control determining that Tsunoda was “wholly responsible” for the contact. He was handed a 10-second time penalty, mirroring the one given to Piastri. The stewards cited Tsunoda’s failure to maintain control of his car and avoid unnecessary contact as the main reasons for the sanction.
The penalty came as a disappointment for Red Bull, who had been hoping for a strong result in Brazil to extend their lead in the Constructors’ standings. Tsunoda had shown flashes of pace earlier in the weekend but ultimately failed to convert his performance into points due to the collision and ensuing penalty.
A Chaotic Race Weekend
The São Paulo Grand Prix has once again lived up to its reputation as one of Formula 1’s most unpredictable races. The narrow track layout, elevation changes, and variable weather conditions often produce incidents — and this year was no exception. Between multiple safety car periods, driver errors, and close racing battles, the stewards had a busy afternoon handing out investigations and penalties.
For both Piastri and Tsunoda, the weekend will be one to forget. Piastri’s ongoing struggles in Brazil have raised questions about his consistency in mixed conditions, while Tsunoda’s penalty added to a growing list of mistakes under pressure this season.
As the championship heads toward its final rounds, both drivers will be eager to regroup and refocus. For McLaren and Red Bull, minimizing these costly errors will be crucial as the battle for positions tightens at the top and midfield of the 2025 Formula 1 standings.
In the end, the Brazilian Grand Prix served as a reminder that even the smallest mistakes can have major consequences — especially on a circuit as unforgiving as Interlagos.
