Graeme Swann's Playful Jab at Piastri: 'He's Not World Champion Like Lando'

Former England cricketer Graeme Swann took a playful swipe at McLaren's Oscar Piastri during a podcast appearance at The Ashes in Melbourne. Swann quipped that while the Australian driver has the "huge neck" typical of F1 drivers, "he's not the world champion like Lando," a direct reference to his teammate, Lando Norris. The comment humorously underscores the tight 2025 championship battle, which Norris won by a narrow margin, and continues to follow the drivers into the off-season.

Why it matters:

The comment, though a joke, taps into the raw dynamics of the 2025 season where Piastri led the championship for 15 Grands Prix only to be pipped at the post by his teammate. It highlights the new pecking order at McLaren, with Norris now carrying the title of "World Champion," a label that will follow both drivers and shape their narrative heading into 2026. This kind of friendly fire from the public and media adds to the pressure on Piastri to bounce back and challenge for the title himself.

The details:

• Swann made the comment on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast, where he noted Piastri was "smaller than I thought" but possessed the "massive neck" common to F1 drivers.
• The jab is a direct reference to the 2025 season, where Norris clinched his first World Championship by a razor-thin margin.
• By the numbers: Norris won the title by just two points over Max Verstappen, with Piastri finishing a close third, only 13 points behind his teammate, despite leading the standings for 15 races.
• The Australian driver was also put on the spot by local TV in Melbourne with questions about Norris, confirming that the championship narrative remains a hot topic even during the off-season.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the McLaren garage when the 2026 season begins, with the dynamic between the reigning champion and his eager teammate set to be a central narrative. With significant regulatory changes on the horizon, the competitive order is uncertain, potentially giving Piastri a fresh opportunity to challenge Norris. The friendly rivalry and public comparisons will only intensify if both drivers are in contention for the championship from the outset of the new season.