McLaren has lodged a protest against the qualifying result of the Austrian Grand Prix, arguing that there is not enough evidence to definitively prove that Oscar Piastri’s laptime should have been deleted. Piastri initially qualified in third place, but his fastest time was removed due to exceeding track limits at Turn 6. McLaren is seeking clarity on whether the car went beyond the track limits beyond any reasonable doubt, as this is one of the key principles that the FIA must prove when applying a penalty. The team believes that the available evidence, including the helicopter view and fixed camera, does not offer a clear enough view to confirm that Piastri was outside the white line.
McLaren and other concerned parties were invited to attend a hearing to discuss the protest. The team’s principal, Andrea Stella, emphasized the need for adequate resolution and methodology that can be applied to all cars when determining track limits violations. Stella cited a previous incident involving Lando Norris in Qatar, where the resolution and accuracy of the evidence were clear, leading to no contestation. However, in Piastri’s case, the view is blurred and affected by shadows, making it difficult to enforce the penalty beyond any reasonable doubt. McLaren wants to continue the conversation and ensure that penalties are based on clear evidence.
Piastri expressed frustration over the penalty, regardless of whether he actually exceeded the white line. He described the penalty as embarrassing, especially considering the efforts made by F1 to minimize laptime deletions by introducing natural gravel deterrents at other corners. Piastri acknowledged that the Turn 6 incident was particularly frustrating because he believed it was his best performance at that corner throughout the weekend. He highlighted the importance of pushing the limits and taking risks in racing.
Daniel Ricciardo, Piastri’s compatriot and former McLaren teammate, also expressed disappointment with the penalty. He suggested that if gravel deterrents are in place, the track limits rule should be ignored as it no longer provides an advantage. Ricciardo’s suggestion goes against the efforts to establish consistent track limits rules across all corners. There have been suggestions to address the issue specifically at Turn 6, such as shortening the concrete in that section. McLaren hopes that the Piastri case will contribute to further refining track limits efforts in Formula 1.