Oscar Piastri facing 'F1 title nightmare' as Charles Leclerc left 'pissed off' – International media reacts

Lando Norris delivered one of the most dominant weekend performances of the season to win the São Paulo Grand Prix, extending his lead in the drivers' title to 24 points. 

Norris topped every session in Brazil except SQ2, while his title rivals both encountered troublesome moments. 

Oscar Piastri crashed out in the Sprint and finished the grand prix in fifth, whereas Max Verstappen suffered a shock Q1 elimination but managed to recover from a pit lane start to finish in third. 

It was a Brazilian weekend of chaos, which could prove pivotal in the title fight come the end of the season in just one month's time.

Here is how media from around the world reacted to the 21st round of the F1 season, the São Paulo Grand Prix.

🇬🇧 The Times - "Norris looks made for title glory as Verstappen’s miracle drive falls short"

Starting our trip around the world in the United Kingdom, British publication The Times focused on Norris' incredible performance which has seen him move closer to a maiden F1 title. 

Just like in Mexico City, Norris was untouchable from free practice onwards, with nobody being able to lap his one lap pace. 

While his race pace was not massively quicker than anyone else's, he kept himself out of trouble while his rivals encountered difficulty. 

The Times also addressed Verstappen's stunning recovery from a pit lane start to finish in third, although he has still fallen 49 points adrift of Norris.

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf - "Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies on Verstappen: 'It was an incredible performance from Max'"

In the Netherlands, De Telegraaf reported on comments from Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies about Verstappen's performance. 

It was looking set to be a horrific weekend for Verstappen after he qualified in 16th, as a result of several changes having been made to his RB21 which directed it backwards rather than forwards.

With nothing to lose, an engine change, suspension change and set-up change was carried out, triggering a pit lane start. 

Powered by a new engine, Verstappen stormed through the field to finish in third, a performance Mekies judged as "incredible" and as good as his win from 17th on the grid in Brazil last year.

🇪🇸 El País - "Alpine changes its mind about Colapinto and renews his contract"

In Spain, El País covered the news that Franco Colapinto will remain with Alpine next season, having been given a new contract for the 2026 season. 

The Alpine second seat was the only non-Red Bull owned seat to be filled for next year, although that is no longer the case. 

It has ultimately been designed by Alpine that Colapinto has improved enough to warrant a full season with the Enstone-based outfit and partner Pierre Gasly for the start of the new power unit regulations.

🇮🇹 La Gazzetta dello Sport -Leclerc: "'I'm pissed off. Maybe Kimi could have avoided the collision.' Antonelli: 'Stressed, but happy.'"

In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport focused on comments from Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli, who were both involved in a collision on lap six with Piastri.

Following a safety car restart, Antonelli entered the first corner with Piastri on his inside and Leclerc on his outside. Piastri was squeezed by the young Italian which caused contact, sending Antonelli into Leclerc and taking him out of the race.

After an investigation, Piastri received a 10-second time penalty, although  a "pissed off" Leclerc defended the McLaren driver and argued that Antonelli "could have avoided the collision". 

As for Antonelli, he recovered to finish in second, marking his best result in F1.

🇦🇺 Herald Sun - "Costly penalty continues Piastri’s F1 title nightmare in Brazil"

In Australia, the Herald Sun addressed the mounting challenge Piastri faces to claim the title this season, following his latest setback in Brazil. 

Piastri entered Brazil just a point adrift of Norris, but left 24 points behind after another frustrating grand prix. 

Once again, the Australian driver failed to match his team-mate's pace, before crashing out of the sprint. As earlier mentioned, Piastri also received a 10-second time penalty for the collision with Antonelli and Leclerc, who saw him finish in fifth rather than second. 

Time is quickly running out for Piastri to end his run of struggles and bounce back, with Norris looking set to have a chance of winning the title in Qatar.

🇺🇸 The Washington Post - "Despair for home fans as Bortoleto crashes out at start of Brazilian Grand Prix"

And finally, in the United States, American publication The Washington Post covered Gabriel Bortoleto's disastrous home weekend. 

The Brazilian driver suffered a horrific 57G accident on the final lap of the sprint, which resulted in Bortoleto missing qualifying due to the extent of damage to his car. 

To add to the Stake F1's driver's horrible home grand prix performance, he crashed out of the race on the opening lap while fans and his family watched on.