Formula 1 has been rocked by a new twist in the Oscar Piastri controversy, as fresh video evidence discovered by the FIA has reignited the firestorm surrounding the Brazilian Grand Prix. What began as a questionable penalty has now spiraled into a full-blown crisis at McLaren, leaving the team divided, the fans enraged, and Piastri’s title hopes hanging by a thread.
The incident, which took place during the chaotic race restart in São Paulo, saw Piastri dive aggressively down the inside of Kimi Antonelli, locking up slightly and clipping L. Clerk’s Ferrari. Clerk spun, Antonelli lost time, and Piastri continued — only to be slapped moments later with a 10-second penalty and two penalty points on his license.
At first, the punishment seemed harsh. Then it turned scandalous. The FIA’s official record initially listed eight penalty points — a miscalculation that, had it stood, would have put Piastri on the brink of a race ban. Within hours, the organization quietly corrected the error… but by then, the damage was done.
Now, with the FIA claiming to have “new video evidence” from previously unreleased track cameras, questions are exploding about the integrity and consistency of the governing body’s process. Was this justice, or a witch hunt?
Inside McLaren, tension is boiling over. Team principal Andrea Stella called the decision “disproportionate and disappointing,” yet controversially decided not to appeal, citing “a need to focus on the next race.” That move, insiders say, infuriated Piastri, who felt abandoned just when he needed his team most.
“He’s absolutely livid,” said a source close to McLaren’s garage. “He feels like he’s being made an example of — and that the FIA has it out for him.”
Behind closed doors, whispers suggest Piastri’s relationship with teammate Lando Norris has also taken a hit. The Australian star was reportedly frustrated that the team’s strategy favored Norris early in the weekend, leaving him vulnerable in the race. The penalty, combined with the new FIA footage, has only widened the rift.
Meanwhile, the Formula 1 community has erupted online. Former drivers and pundits are calling this one of the most inconsistent rulings in years, arguing that Piastri was penalized for simply racing hard. “If that’s a penalty, then nobody’s allowed to overtake anymore,” fumed one ex-driver.
The FIA’s actions have sparked a larger debate across the paddock: Has Formula 1 lost its edge? Has the obsession with safety and regulation turned the world’s fastest sport into a legal minefield where boldness is punished and caution rewarded?
As the dust settles, one thing is clear — this is more than a racing incident. It’s a political battle between drivers, teams, and the FIA itself. For McLaren, it’s an internal reckoning. For Oscar Piastri, it’s a defining moment — one that could make or break his season.
“This isn’t over,” warned one insider. “Not by a long shot.”
