Oscar Piastri annoyed by ‘carnage’ British GP start: 'Like a multi-class race'

Oscar Piastri has described the opening lap of the British Grand Prix as a “multi-class race” due to the different power modes being used by the drivers.

The new regulations this year have increased the amount of electrical power emitted by the power unit, with drivers choosing when to deploy it around the lap.

It has created some close moments on the track this year, including at Silverstone on Sunday where Piastri's race came undone on the opening lap when he made contact with another car.

Explaining the incident, Piastri told media including RacingNews365: “I got sandwiched on the way into Turn 6, basically, on the straight to Turn 6.

“I broke my front wing and had the box, and that was it.”

Piastri was relegated to the rear of the field and could only recover to 11th at the chequered flag.

The Australian noted that the different uses of power on the opening lap resulted in “carnage” and created a feeling of competing in a multi-class category.

“There wasn't really that much of a pack,” he said.

“Lap one on these kind of circuits is just carnage, it's almost like a multi-class race start.

“I was trying to overtake Lindblad, and I seemed like I had more power than him.

“Lawson then passed me, who seemed like he had even more power than me, and it's just a mess.

“You're trying to judge your speed to the car in front of you, look at the car behind you, but to be honest, I'm surprised that that doesn't happen more often.”