P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren has launched a protest to the FIA over the choice to delete Oscar Piastri’s best lap in qualifying at Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix for a track limits violation. Piastri looked to continue his positive weekend at the Red Bull Ring when he slotted into third place on the times, one place behind McLaren […]
Oscar Piastri faced disappointment at the Red Bull Ring as his third-place lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 6, dropping him back to seventh. Piastri criticized the situation as embarrassing, noting the presence of unused gravel traps. McLaren has protested the decision to seek clearer evidence of the infringement to ensure fairness. Team boss Andrea Stella emphasized that McLaren’s actions are about upholding the sport’s integrity rather than solely seeking a higher position. The ongoing discussion centers on the need for indisputable evidence that Piastri’s car went beyond the track limits, with concerns regarding consistent application of track limit rules. Daniel Ricciardo supported Piastri’s argument that gravel traps should be the primary deterrent for exceeding track limits, suggesting that strict enforcement in such cases may no longer be necessary.
