Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are currently embroiled in a tight battle for the 2025 Formula One World Championship. Despite Norris gaining momentum through consecutive victories in Austria and Great Britain, some believe the title could still slip from his grasp if the fight resembles the dramatic 2021 showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Many analysts feel Norris has what it takes to maintain his edge, but caution that the outcome might depend on how the championship concludes.
The turning point for Norris appears to have been an upgrade to McLaren’s MCL39, which improved performance and led to better race results. While some have credited the car for his recent success, Norris insists his resurgence is due to his own performance rather than mechanical advantages. His strong form in the latter half of seasons is well known, and many believe he can keep the momentum to outpace Piastri in the standings.
Former Formula 1 driver and current analyst Jolyon Palmer expressed optimism about Norris’s chances, suggesting that the Briton could string together a decisive set of races in the second half of the season. Although Piastri held an early advantage in the standings, Palmer is confident that Norris will eventually reclaim the lead and carry it into the final rounds of the year.
However, Palmer also warned that if the title race goes down to the wire—similar to the 2021 decider in Abu Dhabi—Piastri might hold the upper hand. He believes that Piastri’s composed and calculated driving style could be key in a last-race shootout scenario, especially if the two McLaren drivers are level on points heading into the finale.
Ultimately, Palmer predicts that Norris will try to build a sufficient points cushion before the season’s end to avoid a head-to-head finale. But if things are even at the last race, he sees Piastri as the likely victor due to his “coolness under pressure.” The ongoing battle between the McLaren teammates is shaping up to be one of the most compelling title fights in recent Formula 1 memory.
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