SAO PAULO (Reuters) -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.