Oscar Piastri has been singled out for criticism by a former world champion, who instead tipped a Mercedes star for the title. The ex-Ferrari driver shared his prediction for the championship winner.
Former Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, who won the world championship in 2007, was dismissive of the Australian star as he talked up another young talent – his namesake Kimi Antonelli.
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Like Piastri, Antonelli leads the standings after the opening few weeks of the season, having won four races this year. But unlike Piastri, Raikkonen believes Antonelli will stay the course and win the title.
Raikkonen is a big fan of Kimi Antonelli. “Antonelli won’t lose focus – he’s showing maturity,” he told Italian outlet Quotidiano Nazionale.
“He’ll have to avoid imitating Oscar 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.
“Obviously, in Formula 1, you don’t win four consecutive grands prix unless you have special talent. Antonelli’s numbers are a feat. Having the right car is crucial, but it’s always been that way, throughout history.”
While Antonelli has triumphed so far, Piastri has mostly struggled as McLaren have failed to adjust to the new rules in the same manner as rivals Mercedes. Piastri failed to start the first two grands prix of the season but managed to podium in Japan and Miami.
