Stewards leave Leclerc-Piastri clash unpenalised

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri expressed frustration after stewards took no action against Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for a collision that compromised his Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The incident occurred on the eighth lap at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit as the pair battled for third place.

Piastri attempted an overtake on the outside of Leclerc entering the Les Combes chicane. The two cars made contact, with Leclerc's rear-left tyre touching Piastri's front-right wheel, damaging the McLaren's front wing and floor. Piastri was forced to continue with the damaged car, which his team stated cost him two to three tenths of a second per lap, and he ultimately finished fifth.

Race stewards investigated the clash but decided no penalty was warranted. In their report, they stated Piastri's car had some overlap but its front axle was not ahead of Leclerc's, meaning there was "no possibility" of completing the overtake from that position. They determined Leclerc did not deliberately crowd Piastri off the track and was following the racing line.

Speaking after the race, Piastri said he was surprised the incident did not even merit a warning flag. He stated he was on the...