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The Live Sport Bible is here!"Can't handle pressure": F1 champion's brutal Piastri sledge
SEN • June 5th, 2026 12:24 pm
A brutal whack on Oscar Piastri from a former F1 world champion with Kimi Raikkonen saying the Australian missed out on the title in 2025 because he "couldn't handle the pressure".
Twelve months ago, Piastri was leading the drivers’ championship and did so until his season began to spiral in early September with a disastrous outing at Baku which was compounded by a controversial team orders positional switch at Monza in the following race.
A 34-point lead on his teammate Lando Norris and more than 100-point advantage on third place Max Verstappen slowly dwindled before a double McLaren disqualification in Las Vegas saw Piastri become the underdog in a three-driver race for the title.
Ultimately, he finished the season third with Norris crowned champion in the final race of the year.
While discussing the rise and rise of F1 sensation Kimi Antonelli who is leading the drivers race having won four consecutive races this season, Raikkonen delivered a brutal swipe at the Aussie.
“Antonelli won’t lose focus - he’s showing maturity,” Raikkonen said.
“He’ll have to avoid imitating Piastri in 2025. At one point, (he) seemed to have the title in his pocket, but he couldn’t handle the pressure.
“The Italian won’t fall into the same trap.”
Antonelli leads his Mercedes teammate George Russell by 43 points after just five races.
His victory in Canada saw him become the first driver in F1 history to win his maiden four races consecutively.
“Obviously, in Formula 1, you don’t win four consecutive grands prix unless you have special talent,” Raikkonen said.
“Antonelli’s numbers are a feat. Having the right car is crucial, but it’s always been that way, throughout history.”
Formula One begins its European tilt this weekend at Monaco where Piastri and Lando Norris will context McLaren's 1000th race in the sport.
