Piastri accepts partial blame over costly start crash

Oscar Piastri has accepted he put himself at extra risk of contact on the opening lap of the São Paulo Grand Prix after a disappointing qualifying result.

Piastri ended Friday's outing in 10th place after sliding off the track at the final corner when a freak storm rolled in over the Interlagos circuit.

The McLaren driver was placed in the mid-pack when the race got underway and was hit by Kevin Magnussen after the Haas driver was spun around following contact with Alexander Albon.

McLaren repaired Piastri's car during the subsequent red flag period which allowed him back into the race, albeit a lap down on the rest of the field.

“I hit the brakes for Turn 1 and then looked in the mirror,” Piastri told media including RacingNews365.com.

“I saw someone's tyre flying through the air and thought that didn't look very good.

“Sure enough, I got an impact after that, it's a shame. There was nothing I could have done.”

Piastri pleased with extra Brazil experience

But blaming his connection to the incident on his poor qualifying, Piastri added: “When you qualify in those kinds of positions, you leave yourself much more at risk to stuff like that.

“It all kind of starts from Friday, unfortunately. After that [I] just tried to stay on the lead lap.

“And then, apart from that, [just] learn as much as I could. It's not been the easiest of weekends.

“Thanks to the amazing effort from everyone to get the car back together in 20 minutes, which was no easy feat.

“I've got an extra 70 laps that I otherwise wouldn't have. So, you know, I learned a lot, just in general, but also, when I come back [to Brazil] next year.”