Oscar Piastri's Formula 1 title challenge has taken another blow, with a controversial penalty costing the Australian in Brazil.
Championship leader Lando Norris converted pole position into victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix on Monday Morning (AEDT), while a Piastri finished fifth after being handed a 10-second penalty for an early crash.
Norris now leads the drivers' championship by 24 points over Piastri, with three rounds to go.
Piastri's hopes of a podium were dashed when he was deemed "wholly responsible" by the race stewards for a collision which resulted in Ferrari's Charles Leclerc crashing out.
Piastri went for a big move off a safety car restart on lap six of 71, going down the inside of second-placed Antonelli, and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
Antonelli appeared to cut across Piastri's line, with the Australian locking his brakes before hitting the side of the Mercedes.
The force of the shunt sent Antonelli's car into the side of the Ferrari, ending Leclerc's race.
The stewards said Piastri was at fault for the crash because the Australian's front axle was not alongside Antonelli's, and his locked brakes came as a result of trying to slow down and avoid the eventual collision.
Piastri was able to control his car and ran second, behind Norris, a position he likely would have finished if not for the penalty.
The Australian cut a frustrated figure when asked about the incident, claiming the only reason he locked his brakes was because Antonelli did not give him enough room.
"I had a very clear opportunity, I went for it," he told Sky Sports.
"The other two [Antonelli and Leclerc] on the outside braked quite late.
"There was obviously a bit of a lock-up into the corner, but that was because I could see Kimi [Antonelli] wasn't going to give me any space.
"I can't disappear, but the decision is what it is."
Despite the stewards declaring Piastri was the only driver at fault, Leclerc said he did not rest the blame for his retirement wholly on the Australian.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Ferrari driver said he believed Antonelli knew Piastri was on the inside of him and should have taken a different line.
"Oscar was optimistic, but Kimi knew Oscar was on the inside … and he kind of did the corner like Oscar was never there," Lelcerc said.
"For me, the blame is not all on Oscar.
"Yes, it was optimistic. But this could have been avoided."
Antonelli would go on to claim second place, holding off a fast-finishing Max Verstappen, who placed third after starting from the pit lane. George Russell was fourth for Mercedes.
[standings]With three grand prix and one sprint race left in the season, Norris can finish second in each race and become world champion.
While there was plenty of action for the podium places, Norris drove an assured race to seal his seventh grand prix win of the season.
But the speed of Verstappen in the Red Bull, who was just 10 seconds behind Norris despite starting from the pits, concerned the championship leader.
"To be honest, I don't think we were the quickest today but I'm glad to take home the win," Norris said.
"It's a great win. But seeing how quick Max was, it's disappointing we were not quicker."
When asked about his 24-point lead over Piastri, and 49-point advantage over Verstappen, Norris said he was going to block out any external noise for the final three rounds.
"Not a long way to go, but it can change so quickly," Norris said.
"So I just focus on myself, keep my head down, ignore everyone, and keep pushing."
Follow all the action of the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix on the blog below.
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