The Qatar Grand Prix looks set to be a talking point even after the checkered flag: Oscar Piastri, third at the finish line behind Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, ended up under investigation for an episode that occurred even before the start of the race, during the reconnaissance laps towards the starting grid.
The Australian McLaren driver is accused of “irresponsible driving” for having passed Lewis Hamilton inside the pit lane, crossing the white line of the pit lane. An action that prompted the FIA to summon Piastri and his team after the race, with the aim of clarifying what happened. Hamilton, immediately after the fact, reported Piastri's behavior to his team via radio, calling it potentially dangerous.
A weekend already full of controversy
This investigation is just the latest chapter in a chaotic weekend, characterized by questionable penalties and less than transparent decisions by race direction. Among these, the stop & go inflicted on Lando Norris for not slowing down under the yellow flag stands out. The Briton, battling with Verstappen for the victory, was punished in the final for not reducing speed in the presence of debris left by the mirror of Alex Albon's Williams. The penalty relegated Norris to the bottom of the standings, forcing him to a desperate comeback that led him to finish in tenth position with the fastest lap.
The implications for the rankings
If Piastri were to be penalized by losing the podium in Qatar, McLaren risks losing precious points in the tight fight for the Constructors' title against FerrariAt the moment, the Woking team maintains a 21-point lead, but a penalty could bring the Prancing Horse even closer, having recovered ground in Qatar thanks to Leclerc's second place and Sainz's sixth.
The FIA's disastrous management
The race direction has once again come under fire for its unclear and cumbersome management of the incidents on the track. From the penalty to Norris to the uncertainty over the Piastri case, the decisions of the FIA continue to raise questions about their consistency and timeliness. The Qatar GP was a chaos of debris, yellow flags and penalties, testing the patience of teams and fans alike.
The FIA has promised immediate updates on the outcome of the investigation. We will see what the decision will be between a reprimand, a fine or, although less likely, a penalty. Even if this does not happen, one thing is certain: the world championship will be decided at the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi.
