According to McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, the collision between Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri in the opening phase of the Belgian GP could have ended much worse. The two collided when the Australian wanted to make an overtaking move at Kemmel Straight. This resulted in damage to Piastri’s MCL40, but according to Stella, it could have been even worse: ‘If uncontrolled contact occurs, a subsequent crash can be very serious’.
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During lap eight of the Belgian GP, Oscar Piastri tried to overtake Charles Leclerc on the outside at Kemmel Straight, but at that moment the Monegasque steered slightly to the left. The Ferrari driver thus hit the Australian’s MCL40, causing Piastri to sustain floor damage. Leclerc, however, did not receive a penalty for the incident, partly because, according to the stewards, the Monegasque had simply followed the racing line.
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella questioned the stewards’ judgment after the race. “I will still have to check which factors the stewards precisely took into account, and whether the decisive factor here is the relative position between Oscar’s front axle and Leclerc’s car,” Stella told the media.
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Stella warns of more serious crash
“I think we should at least ensure that when two cars drive side by side for so long, the car that is not on the racing line – because it is defending the inside – leaves enough space for the other,” the team boss continues, immediately warning: “Because if uncontrolled contact occurs, the crash will be very serious.” The Italian therefore hopes that lessons will primarily be learned from the moment.
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