SAO PAULO :Charles Leclerc defended McLaren's Oscar Piastri after the Australian was given a 10-second penalty for causing a collision that put the Ferrari driver out of Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The three-car incident had big consequences for Piastri, who finished fifth and is now 24 points behind teammate and Formula One championship leader Lando Norris, who won the race from pole.

Piastri locked up while trying to pass Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli on the inside, with the pair making contact and the Italian then colliding with the Ferrari driver on the outside.

Leclerc, who had lined up third on the grid behind Antonelli with Piastri fourth, retired on track.

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