Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has bounced back from an unlucky ruling in qualifying to cross the line second at the Austrian Grand Prix in an equal career-best finish.
George Russell clinched Mercedes’ first win of the season on Sunday (just after midnight Monday AEST) but the major talking point was a late clash between McLaren driver Lando Norris and championship leader Max Verstappen in his Red Bull.
The incident left Norris, who was trying to take the lead from Verstappen with seven laps remaining, unable to continue, and Verstappen was given a 10-second time penalty.
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The crash helped fellow McLaren driver Piastri into second, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr.
It was Russell’s second GP win and Piastri’s third second-placed finish.
Daniel Ricciardo picked up two much-needed points in ninth.
Verstappen had dominated the weekend, following up his victory in the sprint race with another dominant performance in qualifying to take pole position.
Piastri set the third fastest time in the final part of qualifying on Sunday morning (AEST) but lined up seventh after his time was deleted for running wide by the barest of margins.
“We do all this work for track limits, put gravel in in places, and I didn’t even go off the track,” he said before the race, describing the call as “embarrassing”.
“I stayed on the track. That was probably my best turn six and it gets deleted.”
In commentary for Sky Sports, Martin Brundle said it was a “cruel” decision.
“He didn’t really touch the gravel. It’s always deceptive from onboard, but that’s a cruel call there for Piastri,” he said.
“Normally if you’re breaching track limits there, you’re in the gravel.”