F1 | FIA guidelines under fire after Oscar Piastri’s penalty in Brazil. Jolyon Palmer defends Oscar Piastri after his penalty in Brazil.

The penalty handed to Oscar Piastri in Brazil has sparked mixed reactions across the Formula 1 paddock. Some believe it was a clear driver error caused by a front-wheel lock-up, while others argue it was nothing more than a simple racing incident. According to this latter view, Kimi Antonelli also played a role by closing the door too aggressively on the Australian driver.

One thing, however, is certain: Charles Leclerc was completely innocent and suffered the most, retiring just a few meters after the contact. The presence of the Ferrari number 16 arguably prevented a worse outcome for Antonelli, who otherwise might have lost control of his Mercedes and dropped to the back of the field.

Palmer defends the McLaren driver

According to former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer, the penalty given to Oscar Piastri in the Brazilian Grand Prix was not entirely fair. “He had enough room to make the move, but he was also aware of being in a risky position with two cars on the outside and the championship at stake. I think that’s why Oscar braked earlier than the others, and that proved crucial,” Palmer explained in his post-race analysis.

Palmer went on to suggest that Piastri should not have braked so early compared to Antonelli. Had he delayed his braking slightly, he would have been able to bring his front wheel up to the level of Antonelli’s Mercedes mirror — a key detail for complying with the FIA’s racing guidelines. In short, the British commentator believes Piastri should have been less cautious, taking a more assertive approach similar to what Max Verstappen often does in wheel-to-wheel battles.

“Realistically, I think it was just a racing incident — one of those moments where drivers go flat out, three abreast, and contact simply happens. Unfortunately, Charles was just the unlucky one who suffered the consequences,” Palmer added in his analysis published by Formula 1.

Focus on the rules

Palmer’s remarks highlight a certain paradox: by choosing the safer option of braking harder, Oscar Piastri actually ended up being penalized, while had he risked more and caused a collision, he might still have been seen as complying with FIA rules. According to Palmer, it was that cautious braking — which led to the lock-up — that ultimately cost the McLaren driver dearly.

From this perspective, the current guidelines are being questioned once again. “In my opinion, as a former driver, it seems that race guidelines are being followed far too rigidly,” Palmer continued. “I’d rather see drivers giving each other space and racing side by side through corners, instead of just diving for the apex or cutting across others simply because they’re considered to have ‘earned’ the corner.”