Did Oscar Piastri deserve 10 seconds penalty at Silverstone? exclusive

• By Dr. AK Rana

The 2025 British Grand Prix will go down in memory not just for the racing, but for a key moment that changed how fans perceive Oscar Piastri.

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It was a milestone where he didn’t just lose points,

he may have lost part of his fanbase and,

the “cool-headed” image he had carefully built,

over the last two years.

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What Happened?

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Oscar Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty for dangerous braking at the end of the safety car period.

As the de facto safety car leader after the restart, Oscar was expected to control the pace of the grid.

Instead, he hit the brakes hard, creating a concertina effect that could’ve easily caused a massive multi-car collision.

From where I stand?

The penalty was fair.

But here’s where it all snowballed.

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Was the 10-Second Penalty Too Harsh?

Many questioned if it should’ve been just a 5-second penalty instead of 10.

Others brought up George Russell’s incident during the Canadian Grand Prix, where he too braked sharply—but got away penalty-free. The difference?

George was responding to flag rules, and only the Red Bull behind him felt the effect. It didn’t ripple through the entire grid like Piastri’s did. Stewards reviewed it, and it was resolved without controversy.

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Who Else Was at Fault?

Was the safety car to blame for a delayed release?

Was Max Verstappen accelerating too hard behind Oscar?

Sure, maybe.

But none of that excuses the sudden and hard braking Oscar did.

 In wet conditions, it made things even more dangerous. His speed at that point should’ve been reduced smoothly—not jolted.

As a result, he triggered a grid-wide safety hazard.

No excuses, just poor judgment.

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Piastri’s Radio Rage

When he heard about the penalty mid-race, Oscar’s radio message said it all:

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“I won’t say anything because if I do, I’ll be banned for a year.”

Clearly, he was livid.

And then came the shocker.

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He asked the team for a car swap with Lando Norris—arguing that since the penalty was unfair, he should be given the win back by team orders.

The request was denied, of course, with McLaren sticking to their racing ethics.

But that single radio message sparked a storm.

Later, when questioned, Oscar justified it by saying:

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“There was no harm in asking.

Maybe they would agree.”

But here’s the problem…

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Hypocrisy at Play?

Piastri has often maintained that when it comes to racing, he and Lando are individual competitors.

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“Let us race,” has always been the motto.

But when hit with an individual penalty, he suddenly asked for a team act of sacrifice?

That’s a double standard.

If roles were reversed and Lando Norris had asked for a swap, fans would’ve gone equally hard on him.

But because it was Piastri—usually cool, sharp, and unbothered—the hypocrisy stood out even more.

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A racer asking to be handed a win because he was penalized?

That’s not how champions are made.

If you believe your penalty was unfair, fight it later, not by asking for charity mid-race.

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The Contract Shadow

Some fans speculate Oscar’s boldness came from his rumored watertight contract—one that supposedly ensures he’ll never be “second driver” at McLaren.

But does that also mean he can ask to take the win from a teammate? Of course not.

It’s not about hating Oscar Piastri.

Far from it.

It’s about calling out moments that don’t align with the sport’s spirit—regardless of the driver.

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Because when a driver starts saying “Swap the cars!” to reclaim a win,

you have to ask:

Is that the mindset of a future world champion—or just someone cracking under pressure?

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The Loss of Aura – Oscar Piastri

After Silverstone, many fans are asking:

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Is Oscar Piastri still the cool-headed,

mature racer we all admired?

This wasn’t just a penalty—it was a character check.

Oscar didn’t admit any fault.

He felt the stewards were wrong. He felt like a victim. But this is the same driver who, a few races ago, defended stewards’ decisions saying,

“It’s fair, and we all have to respect it.”

Well, that’s easy to say—until it happens to you.

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Emotions Will Only Rise from Here

As the championship battle tightens between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, we’re going to see more moments like this.

The masks will fall. The tempers will rise.

And team dynamics at McLaren will get even more intense.

But one thing is for sure: “Swap the cars” will follow Oscar Piastri for a long time.

He may not say it again. But he said it once, and it changed everything.

What do you think?

Was the penalty fair? Should McLaren have entertained the swap?

Share your views in the comments or write to us at halleysclinic@gmail.com.

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