Ex-Cricketer Swann Takes a Shot at Piastri: 'Not a Champion Like Lando'

Former England cricketer Graeme Swann delivered a cheeky reminder of the new reality at McLaren during The Ashes in Melbourne, taking a light-hearted jab at Oscar Piastri. The comment, which highlighted teammate Lando Norris's recent world championship victory, put the Australian driver in the spotlight at the iconic cricket series in his hometown.

Why it matters:

The quip underscores the significant shift in the McLaren dynamic following the intense 2024 season. After a year-long battle that saw Piastri lead the championship for 15 races, Norris ultimately clinched the title. This public acknowledgment of the result adds a layer of narrative pressure on Piastri as he aims to rebound and challenge his newly-crowned champion teammate again.

The details:

• The Jab: Speaking on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast, Swann said of Piastri, "He's smaller than I thought... massive neck. But you know, he's not the world champion like Lando."
• The Setting: The comment was made at The Ashes, a fiercely contested Test series between England and Australia, held in Piastri's hometown of Melbourne, adding to the sting of the good-natured rivalry.
• The Backstory: Norris secured the 2024 drivers' title by a razor-thin margin, beating Max Verstappen by just two points. Piastri finished a close third, only 13 points behind his teammate after leading the standings for a significant portion of the season.
• On the Spot: The cricket-themed ribbing wasn't the only time Piastri faced questions about his teammate; Australian TV also put him on the spot to discuss Norris's championship triumph.

What's next:

With the season concluded, Piastri is back in Australia resting before the 2025 campaign begins. The primary question looming over McLaren is how he will respond to narrowly missing out on the title and how the internal team dynamic will evolve with Norris now established as the reigning champion. The competitive order for next season remains uncertain, but the Norris-Piastri rivalry is guaranteed to be one of the most compelling storylines on the grid.