Footage from Monaco shows Oscar Piastri, 25, being locked out of the Grand Prix paddock by security, after an awkward exchange in which guards appeared unaware of who he is. The incident unfolded ahead of the iconic Monte Carlo race where the McLaren driver wi
Oscar Piastri walked up to security in Monaco and, for a moment, it looked like the paddock guard didn’t recognize him.
Video posted to social media captured the Australian driver, 25, speaking with security officials after he was locked out of the Grand Prix paddock. The exchange plays out in tense, awkward detail: a guard is seen communicating through a walkie-talkie, then Piastri is eventually escorted away.
The incident landed with extra embarrassment because it happened at the Grand Prix paddock itself—before the Monaco race that sits at the heart of the Monte Carlo weekend. Piastri is set to compete. with the McLaren star arriving in a strong position in the championship picture. currently sitting sixth in the 2026 World Drivers’ Championship.
There is plenty of reason he expects to enjoy the track. He has finished on the podium twice in the three Monaco races he has taken part in, turning the spotlight into something he usually handles well.
But the paddock lockout wasn’t the only point of attention surrounding his week. Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 World Champion, has also weighed in on the pressure that comes with title contention—aiming his comments at another driver rather than Piastri directly.
Raikkonen said Italian driver Kimi Antonelli will be able to avoid performing like Piastri did when leading the championship in 2025. Raikkonen described Antonelli as someone who “won’t lose focus. ” adding that the younger driver is showing maturity and must avoid imitating what happened to Piastri last season.
Raikkonen framed it as a mental test. He said Antonelli “will have to avoid imitating Piastri in 2025. ” pointing to how. after Antonelli seemed to be in the drivers’ title “pocket” earlier in 2025. he couldn’t handle the pressure. The World Champion-turned-commentator explained that the title picture then shifted after Piastri “crumble[d]” from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix onwards in 2025. with the championship ultimately won by Lando Norris.
For now, Monaco’s spotlight is split between the track and the paddock door itself—one moment built around a mistake at the entrance, the other built around how quickly momentum can vanish once pressure rises.
Oscar Piastri Monaco Grand Prix paddock security McLaren 2026 World Drivers' Championship Monte Carlo Kimi Raikkonen Kimi Antonelli Lando Norris
lol security not knowing who Piastri is? come on
If the guard couldn’t recognize him, that’s kinda wild. Like what are they even checking at the door, a badge from the future? Also Monaco always seems chaotic anyway.
Wait so Raikkonen was talking about pressure and then somehow it turns into “Antonelli won’t lose focus,” but didn’t Piastri lose focus too? Not sure how that all connects, I just saw the headline about him getting locked out and figured it was like some sabotage or something.
Monaco paddock security is always on power trips. Like even if they “didn’t know who he was,” shouldn’t they have a list of drivers or something? Meanwhile they’re talking about 2025 and championship momentum like I’m supposed to remember all that drama. Kimi Raikkonen saying Antonelli won’t do what Piastri did… okay but Piastri was literally locked out so idk maybe that’s also mental pressure?