Montoya warns Antonelli: 'Crazy pressure' may be off, but danger lurks

Kimi Antonelli has built a commanding 43-point lead in the drivers' championship after four consecutive victories, most recently in Canada. The 19-year-old's advantage over George Russell was helped by Russell's battery failure while leading in Montreal. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya says the "crazy pressure" is off for now, but warns that the title fight can turn quickly if errors pile up.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's streak has transformed him from a shaky starter in Australia into a genuine championship force. But history shows that big leads can vanish: Oscar Piastri lost a 34-point advantage last year. Montoya's warning underscores that Antonelli cannot afford to relax, even with a comfortable margin.

The details:

• Antonelli's fourth win in five races came at the Canadian Grand Prix, where Russell retired with a battery failure on lap 30.
• The Italian now leads by 43 points over Russell, with other contenders further back.
• Montoya described Russell's misfortune as "champion's luck" — when things are meant for you, they happen.
• But he cautioned: "It's still a long championship, and things can turn really quickly. He knows he can fumble a couple of times. You cannot let it happen too often, because then the ball starts rolling out of control."
• Piastri's 34-point lead collapse last year serves as a cautionary tale for Antonelli.

What's next:

Antonelli's momentum is real, but the margin for error remains thin. With 19 races still to go, one DNF or a run of poor results could quickly erase his advantage. Montoya's advice: enjoy the cushion but stay sharp — the championship is far from over.