Source : ABC NEWS
Australia’s F1 world championship leader Oscar Piastri was left frustrated by a “cruel” finish to a rain-hit sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix.
Piastri had been controlling the race until a late safety car gifted victory to McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
Only 14 of the original 19 laps were raced.
Piastri had looked set to increase his championship advantage on the wet circuit as he sped into the lead on the first corner.
He was still clear with four laps remaining, only to pit at the most inopportune moment for slick tyres on a rapidly drying track.
Norris was called in immediately afterwards, but the safety car was then deployed after Fernando Alonso crashed his Aston Martin into the wall.
That meant Piastri had to slow and could not regain his lead.
It gave Norris a badly needed victory and reduced his deficit behind Piastri in the championship by one point to nine.
Piastri was left to reflect on his second-place finish in the sprint race. (Getty Images/LAT: Steven Tee)
“I don’t think I’m going to be buying a lottery ticket around this place,” said Piastri, who finished second.
“I feel like I did everything right so a bit disappointed to come in second.
“But that’s that’s how it goes sometimes. Unfortunately, racing’s a pretty cruel business so, hopefully, that means I get the luck for this afternoon and tomorrow. But another great start and I’m happy with what I did.”
The main race in Miami will be held on Monday morning AEST.
Piastri had another superb start, just as he did in beating Max Verstappen to the first corner in his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix win.
This time, he outpaced the youngest-ever F1 pole-sitter, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli.
The Italian Mercedes driver complained Piastri had pushed him off the track unfairly with his surge up the inside, but stewards disagreed and took no further action.
Verstappen, who had originally finished fourth behind Lewis Hamilton, was demoted to 17th and last after Red Bull received a 10-second penalty for an unsafe pit-lane release.
The reigning world champion’s car collided with the unfortunate Antonelli, who ended up 10th.
AAP
