Räikkönen Highlights Key Difference Between Antonelli and Piastri in Title Fight

Kimi Räikkönen is backing teenage Formula 1 championship leader and namesake Kimi Antonelli to avoid the same “trap” that befell Oscar Piastri in 2025, suggesting the Australian “could not handle the pressure.”

Speaking in a rare interview with Quotidiano Sportivo, the 2007 world champion was full of praise for Antonelli while warning against the fate that befell Piastri, who led the standings for 15 of the 24 races last season.

“He’ll have to avoid following in the footsteps of Piastri in 2025,” said Räikkönen.

“At one point, the Australian McLaren driver seemed to have the title in the bag but couldn’t handle the pressure. The Italian lad won’t fall into the same trap.”

Piastri built a 34-point lead over McLaren teammate and eventual champion Lando Norris after the Dutch Grand Prix. However, a series of high-profile crashes and incidents in the races that followed unravelled his title challenge.

That advantage was gradually eroded before Norris seized control of the championship with another crucial victory in Mexico City.

Antonelli, like Piastri before him, has established a commanding early lead in the championship. Just five race weekends into the season, the Italian has won four consecutive grands prix and holds a substantial 43-point advantage over Mercedes teammate and title rival George Russell.

Russell suffered a costly reliability failure in Canada, losing what appeared to be a likely victory after holding the upper hand over Antonelli throughout much of the Montreal weekend.

“Obviously, in Formula 1, you don’t win four consecutive grand prix races unless you have a special talent,” the Finn continued on Antonelli.

“Antonelli’s record is a remarkable achievement. Having the right car is essential, but that’s always been the case, in every era.

“You can see it in the way he approaches the races, in the spirit he puts into it.”

Räikkönen also made a bold prediction regarding Antonelli’s championship prospects.

“Antonelli won’t lose his focus; he’s showing maturity,” he declared.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade. Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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