Opinion: Piastri, your career isn’t over because you came second in the Italian Grand Prix
To be a good sport is to raise your chest proudly and bow your head humbly. Oscar Piastri struggled to do either when he placed second at the Italian Grand Prix.
Opinion
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Nothing takes a game from fun to awkward faster than a sore loser.
Melbourne’s golden boy Oscar Piastri came second in the Italian Grand Prix Sunday – an absolutely stunning result.
It’s always humbling to discover someone the same age as you (right down to the month) is standing on global sporting podiums while you’re trying not to forget bin night every week.
Piastri is one of the best up and coming Formula One racers on the grid. He’s already had some success and he’s only getting better.
Why, then, persist with the sulky second-place routine?
The photo of the three champions on the podium – Piastri, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris – makes me cringe so hard my lips shrivel up.
Leclerc, the winner, is obviously full of smiles and cheers as he claims the winner’s position in the middle. Norris is also smiling and waving, ostensibly proud of his third place.
Piastri is standing with his hands on his hips, looking at the ground with a face like thunder.
It’s not a good look for him and it’s not a good look for Australia.
Now, I’m happy to accept that the photographer might have just caught him at a bad time, but Piastri’s comments after the race definitely don’t support this theory.
He took a swipe at Canadian driver Lance Stroll for “driving like it was his first go-kart race”, a comment that was unnecessary and makes him sound like an absolute sook.
When you’re an international athlete, it is your responsibility to conduct yourself in a manner befitting your position.
It’s all part of sportsmanship. No matter the outcome, you congratulate the winners and competitors and take it all on the chin.
To be a good sport is to raise your chest proudly and bow your head humbly.
Frankly, anything less is not only distasteful and entitled – it’s un-Australian.
At the other end of the extremes, I don’t believe athletes should have to hide what they feel and fake toxic positivity for the cameras.
However, there is a spectrum. You can be candid and honest about how you’re feeling without letting your bottom lip droop too much.
Of course no one feels their best after coming second in a race they were in a position to win.
But standing on the podium, hands on hips and unable to crack a smile? Cringe.
Piastri has the backing of a loving, supportive family – not to mention all of Australia.
Not winning sucks, but he has every plausible source of support and his career is not over because he came second in one of F1’s most prestigious races.
It should be a time for gratitude, reflection and a mental reset.
We’re all in Piastri’s corner. Hopefully he doesn’t forget it.
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