Piastri avoids stranded Russell in São Paulo GP

Oscar Piastri says he had a "scary" moment at the São Paulo Grand Prix after George Russell spun while leaving the pits on lap 16. Russell had switched from intermediate tyres to slicks as the track began to dry, and his car was left stuck in the middle of the road. Russell avoided damage but dropped from fourth to eighth as Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson and Piastri all passed him.

Piastri, who started 10th after being eliminated in Q2, finished sixth. He said McLaren's race pace was encouraging for much of the afternoon, though qualifying and some strategy decisions need work. McLaren sits 17 points behind Red Bull in the battle for third in the constructors' championship with three races remaining, and Piastri said he believes the gap can be closed.