Lando Norris cut into Oscar Piastri’s championship lead by winning the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend. Norris’ third victory of 2025 reduces the deficit to 15 points as the halfway point of the season approaches.

The circumstances of Norris’ win were significant. He had to see off multiple attacks from a DRS-powered Piastri during the first stint of the race, as well as a late charge.

While McLaren have a dominant package this year, the two drivers haven’t had a prolonged battle for the lead. When it finally materialised, it was Norris who won out.

Photo by Jay Hirano/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
A misjudgment had cost him dear in Montreal when they fought for fourth place. Norris found himself in the barriers after tagging the rear of Piastri’s car, but he made up some of the points he lost here.

Damon Hill says Lando Norris should be more concerned about losing F1 title

In an interview with The Guardian, 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill was asked for his thoughts on a number of the current drivers. He believes Norris is a ‘gifted and smart’ operator, but has spotted an issue with his demeanour.

Norris has been more level-headed in 2025 after victories and defeats. In the past, he was arguably guilty of criticising himself too harshly when he made mistakes.

But now Hill fears he’s swung too far in the other direction. He wants to see him look more ‘worried’ by the prospect of losing out to Piastri.

A champion must have the mindset that defeat is not an option, Hill says.

“Lando is very talented,” he said. “He’s gifted and smart, but I don’t sense he’s concerned enough that he might lose it. I would be worried he’s going to come off second-best to Oscar. I don’t know if he realises the consequences. You just can’t be beaten.”

Were McLaren unfair on Oscar Piastri at the Austrian Grand Prix?

Norris’ struggles relative to Piastri this season have perhaps been overstated. His Spielberg victory takes the pair level on podiums, while there’s now only one pole position separating them.

The championship lead has never been too alarming, more so the trajectory of the two drivers. But Norris entered 2025 as the favourite, and that came with greater pressure and media scrutiny.

With Max Verstappen now 61 points adrift, a direct head-to-head for the title looks more likely than ever. And McLaren are trying to ‘keep the peace’ between their two drivers, which may explain why Piastri didn’t overcut Norris in Austria after a slow pit stop.

On the evidence of last weekend, Norris has benefited from McLaren’s recent front axle update, designed to address the ‘numbness’ he felt at the front of the car. He certainly can’t complain about a lack of support from the team.