McLaren Team Principal, Andrea Stella, has expressed his team’s readiness to move on from the collision between Oscar Piastri and former McLaren driver Carlos Sainz during the Belgian Grand Prix. Both drivers retired from the race due to the incident, with Stella mentioning that Sainz also suffered damage in the collision.
The incident occurred at the start of the race when Piastri attempted to make a move on Sainz on the inside at La Source. However, Sainz, experiencing a lock-up heading into the first corner, moved across the track, causing Piastri to be pushed into the wall, ultimately ending his race prematurely. As a result of the damage sustained, Sainz was also brought in to retire from the race midway through, as he found himself at the back of the field.
For Piastri, the collision marked a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise impressive weekend. The McLaren rookie had showcased his talent during the sprint race on Saturday, leading laps in Formula 1 for the first time, and started the main race from a competitive position in the top five.
Speaking to the media, including PlanetF1.com, after the race, Andrea Stella confirmed the extent of the damage to Piastri’s car, stating that the steering system was broken, making it impossible for the young driver to continue.
Reflecting on the incident, Stella explained that it appeared Carlos Sainz either wasn’t aware of Piastri’s presence or, due to the need to avoid the car ahead, inadvertently drove into the Australian driver, leaving him with limited space and causing the collision with the wall.
The McLaren team principal acknowledged that it was a regrettable situation and a “big shame” for Piastri, who had shown great promise throughout the weekend. However, he also noted that Carlos Sainz suffered damage in the incident, implying that both drivers had to endure the consequences of the collision.
Moving forward, the McLaren team will focus on putting this incident behind them and regrouping for upcoming races, as they continue to support their talented rookie driver and seek further success in the highly competitive Formula 1 season.
