Oscar Piastri’s stunning qualifying ruined after copping grid penalty

Australian Formula 1 star Oscar Piastri was on top of the world after a stunning display, but it all came crashing down in a flash.

Australian Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri delivered a qualifying masterclass around the Imola circuit ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Piastri left it until the very end as he jumped his McLaren teammate Lando Norris to nab second place on the grid behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

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In his first-ever race weekend around the circuit, Piastri finished only 0.074s behind the three-time world champion, but the celebrations didn’t last long.

A three-place grid penalty was handed down to the Aussie following an incident that unfolded in Q1 when he appeared to impede Haas’ Kevin Magnussen while he was on a hot lap.

The penalty means Piastri will now take his place on the grid behind the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

“So, so close to pole … very happy with how this weekend’s going so far,” Piastri said.

“I think yes (we can fight for more tomorrow),” he added. “I think no, we’ve said in the past.

“I think the confidence is high that we can do something good.”

After learning of the three-place grid penalty, Piastri took to social media where he posted photos of him alongside Verstappen and Norris with the caption: “These aged well, fun while it lasted”.

Fans online weren’t on board with penalty with many calling out the FIA for handing down the harsh punishment.

One user wrote: “You’re f***ing joking, where was he supposed to go? A three place grid penalty is PUSHING it.”

A second added: “In fairness to Oscar, where could he have gone?”

These aged well 😂 Fun while it lasted pic.twitter.com/zvKOCcyAJ8

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) May 18, 2024

While Oscar was dealt a crushing blow, it was fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo who shone bright as he ruined Red Bull’s day by eliminating Sergio Perez in Q2.

Ricciardo edged out the man who’s seat he has long been linked to by 0.015s as he secured his place in the final session.

Ricciardo said he was still “struggling quite a bit” on the first sector but otherwise saw it as a “positive day” for the team as a whole.

“Qualifying was a better session for me, we made some progress from the start of the weekend as we were struggling a bit more than Yuki,” he said.

“In every lap I did, I was always trying to find a bit more here and there, but the first sector is still the part where I’m struggling quite a lot. That’s where the lap got away from me but we’ll keep looking at it tonight to understand more, and I’ll work on it.”

A happy Danny Ric after qualifying. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Verstappen secured his eighth consecutive pole position in qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to equal the record of Ayrton Senna.

“It’s a great start to the year but also very special 30 years since he passed away at this track,” said Verstappen. “Of course, very pleased to get pole here and in a way it’s a nice memory to him (Senna), he was an incredible Formula 1 driver especially in qualifying laps as well, so a great day for me and a great day for the team, I’m very very happy.”

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Grid

Front row: Max Verstappen, Lando Norris

Second row: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz

Third row: Oscar Piastri, George Russell

Fourth row: Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton

Fifth row: Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hulkenberg

Sixth row: Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon

Seventh row: Lance Stroll, Alex Albon

Eighth row: Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas

Ninth row: Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen

Tenth row: Fernando Alonso, Lance Sargeant

Originally published as Oscar Piastri’s stunning qualifying ruined after copping grid penalty