Oscar Piastri looked to be on course to win the British GP. The Australian started the race in P2 and dispatched the leader, Max Verstappen, on lap 8 after DRS had been enabled. In the worsening conditions, Piastri was building a massive advantage over his rivals. This was slashed once the safety car came out due to low visibility on the track.
Shortly after the race resumed, another safety car was deployed to clear away the damage after Isack Hadjar’s heavy impact. This is where Piastri’s race unravelled, as he was given a ten-second time penalty for a safety car infringement.
Safety car infringement ruins Oscar Piastri’s British GP
The safety car lights were turned off as the cars made their way down the hangar straight into Sector 3. Oscar Piastri applied the brakes, and he nearly came to a stop. Max Verstappen, who was in P2, passed the McLaren driver. The FIA stewards took a dim view of the incident and gave Piastri his penalty for ‘erratic braking’.
This means Piastri would have to pull ten seconds on his main championship rival, Lando Norris. He was unable to do so, and Norris picked him off once Piastri served the penalty when changing tyres to the slicks.
Piastri was unhappy with the decision, saying over the team radio: “I don’t think the penalty was fair. I think we should swap and race“. McLaren declined to do so, so Piastri came home in second place after he dominated the early stages of the race.
🤔| Here is the explanation from the stewards as to Oscar Piastri’s penalization for a safety car infringement:#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/A4ULE7h0gg
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 6, 2025
After the race, Piastri declined to comment on the incident. He said: “I’m not going to say much. I’ll get myself in trouble. Apparently, you can’t brake behind the Safety Car any more. I did it for five laps before that.”I’m not going to say much because I’ll get myself in trouble.”
The results see Lando Norris cut the championship lead to just 8 points. The pressure is starting to mount on Piastri, and he could lose top spot in the standings after the next race in Belgium.
Lando Norris buoyed by home victory
Lando Norris was able to take advantage of Piastri’s penalty and win his home race. The McLarens were clear of the field as they came home to dominate at Silverstone. And Lando Norris had achieved his dream of winning in front of his home crowd.
After the race, he said: “It’s beautiful. Everything I dreamed of, I guess. Everything I’ve ever wanted to achieve. Apart from a championship, I think this is as good as it gets in terms of feelings and in terms of achievement, being proud, all of it.
🍾| Lando Norris after winning the British GP:
“It’s beautiful. Everything I dreamed of, I guess. Everything I’ve ever wanted to achieve. Apart from a championship, I think this is as good as it gets in terms of feelings and in terms of achievement, being proud, all of it.”… pic.twitter.com/sKUYIe50d2
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 6, 2025
“The last few laps I was just looking into the crowd. I was just trying to take it all in, enjoy the moment, because it might never happen again. I hope it does. But these are memories that I’ll bring with me forever. An incredible achievement.”
Lando Norris was down on himself after the collision with Piastri in Canada. He has responded well, winning in Austria and now Britain. If he can keep his momentum going, he has a good shot at dislodging Piastri from the top of the standings.
