Breaking:FIA announces penalty on McLaren Star following a cr…read more
“FIA announces penalty on McLaren Star following a cr…read more
McLaren Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri experienced a rare mishap during the second free practice (FP2) session at the Monaco Grand Prix, crashing into the barriers at the iconic Sainte-Devote corner. The incident came as a surprise to many, considering Piastri’s usually calm and consistent demeanor on the track.
The 24-year-old Australian had just posted the second fastest time of the session while running on medium tyres when the crash occurred. As he approached the tight right-hander of Sainte-Devote, he locked up his tyres, losing control and sliding straight into the tyre barrier. The impact caused significant damage to the front of his McLaren, including the loss of the front wing. Race officials quickly deployed a red flag, temporarily halting the session.
Fortunately, Piastri was unharmed in the crash. He promptly radioed the team to confirm he was okay and managed to drive the car back to the pits, although it was clearly in need of major repairs. Due to the extent of the damage, Piastri was unable to take any further part in the session, leaving his McLaren crew with a busy evening ahead to prepare the car in time for final practice (FP3) and qualifying on Saturday.
The timing of the crash was frustrating for Piastri, as he had been in excellent form throughout the 2025 season. With four race wins already to his name, he currently leads the drivers’ championship and has been one of the standout performers of the year. His calm and composed style has earned him a reputation as one of the most reliable drivers on the grid, making Friday’s error all the more surprising.
Despite the setback, Piastri will be relieved that the incident happened during practice rather than during the crucial qualifying session. At Monaco, where overtaking is notoriously difficult, qualifying performance is often directly linked to race outcomes. A crash on Saturday could have seriously impacted his chances in Sunday’s race and potentially harmed his championship hopes.
Incidents like these are a reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1, especially at a challenging circuit like Monaco. In 2018, Max Verstappen experienced a similar situation during FP3 and was unable to participate in qualifying, ultimately losing out on a chance at victory. Piastri and McLaren will now look to bounce back strongly, focusing on ensuring the car is ready for qualifying, where every millisecond counts on the tight streets of Monte Carlo.
