Former world champion Damon Hill shares his perspective on the title battle within McLaren between Lando Norris and World Championship leader Oscar Piastri. According to Hill, mental pressure plays a significant role as the championship enters its final stages.
Oscar Piastri currently leads the World Championship, but Lando Norris is only 14 points behind him. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has reduced the gap from 104 to 40 points since the summer break. Hill emphasizes that this final phase could be challenging for Piastri.
“I think Norris has somewhat shrugged off the burden, as it seemed like Oscar had the championship in his pocket,” said the former world champion to RN365. “Norris had to mentally accept that he might not win, while Piastri now seems to be the one starting to sweat and feeling the pressure of high expectations.”
Hill points out that this is new for both drivers. “Neither of them has ever won a World Championship, and when you lie in bed at night thinking about the possibility of becoming a world champion, it really starts to play on your mind.” He jokingly pointed out the additional pressure McLaren is feeling: “McLaren will be wondering: ‘Guys, we have a small problem, because we might not win the championship, and of course we really want to.'”
Battle for the Top Position
The British racing team has not held both the first and second place in the drivers’ championship since 1989, but Hill warns that this lead has become vulnerable. “In this sport, you always have to consider the unlikely, because it just happens.” With five more Grands Prix and two sprint races to go, the title battle is still in full swing. The Mexico City GP is scheduled for this weekend. Whether McLaren can redeem itself then remains to be seen.
