Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert believes that Lando Norris has finally shown he has what it takes to fight for the World Championship. After a daring move on teammate Oscar Piastri during the Singapore Grand Prix, the British driver earned Herbert’s praise for displaying the right mix of aggression and maturity that defines a true title contender.
The bold overtake on Piastri, which came after contact with Max Verstappen and a decisive maneuver at Turn 3, marked another key moment in Norris’s impressive run of form. With six races still to go and just 22 points separating him from his teammate, Herbert is convinced that Norris has found the determination and edge required to challenge for the title in what promises to be an unpredictable season finale.
The Singapore Grand Prix
During his brave move in Singapore, Lando Norris slightly damaged his front wing, but despite the impact, he managed to continue the race and stay ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri. The result has further tightened the internal McLaren battle, with only 22 points now separating the two drivers as the championship approaches its final stretch.
Herbert’s view on Norris
Norris’s ability behind the wheel—and his occasional hesitancy in wheel-to-wheel situations—have often been questioned since McLaren returned to the front of the grid in 2023. However, Johnny Herbert believes that Norris has now shown the necessary fighting spirit to go head-to-head with Piastri, especially after their intense duel at Marina Bay.
According to Herbert, “To win and be in a position to fight for a championship, you sometimes need to be tough. Lando has been criticized in the past for not being aggressive enough. It was a great race. To be honest, it was Oscar who put himself in that situation, getting close to Max Verstappen and running slightly wide, which cost him momentum and allowed Lando to attack from the inside, then around the outside, and again on the inside of Turn 3. Yes, there was contact—he touched Max too—but that’s part of racing. That’s exactly what fans want to see, and it’s what I expect from drivers like Oscar, Lando, and Max.”
Herbert also commented on Piastri’s reaction after the incident: “It was strange to hear Oscar complain over the radio asking to get the position back. I’m really glad that neither the stewards nor the team got involved. It was the right call to let them race. Lando was right to go for it, and Oscar was wrong to be so nervous and irritated afterward.”
Norris’s momentum
Herbert believes that the current momentum is on Norris’s side, emphasizing how being the hunter can often be easier than defending the lead. “Lando is the chaser now, and it’s much easier to be the one hunting rather than the one defending. That part will be challenging. You can clearly see he has raised his game—he’s evolving as a driver. Lando seems to have developed that extra edge compared to Oscar.”
Is everything really in Norris’s favor?
Still, not everything has gone perfectly for the British driver. Since Norris’s retirement at the Dutch Grand Prix, there have been circumstances that played into his hands, but also opportunities missed. For example, at Baku, where Piastri endured a difficult weekend, Norris failed to capitalize fully and reduce the gap in the standings—something that Max Verstappen and Red Bull did with ruthless efficiency.
So, while it’s true that Lando Norris has shown clear improvement and a growing maturity on track, questions remain about whether he will maintain that composure when the pressure intensifies in the final races. The internal battle at McLaren is set to become even fiercer, and it will be a true test of whether Norris is finally ready to take the next step and fight consistently for victories and the championship crown.
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