McLaren 2025: Oscar Piastri holds psychological edge over Lando Norris, says Nico Rosberg. Oscar Piastri currently holds a key advantage over Lando Norris in McLaren’s 2025 F1 duel.

McLaren’s Piastri may have an edge over Norris, says Rosberg

The 2025 Formula 1 season is gearing up to restart after the summer break, and all eyes are on McLaren’s internal championship battle that is heating up the drivers’ title race. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, separated by only nine points in the standings, have dominated the recent races, signaling an exciting finale to the season. Commenting on the situation, 2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg highlighted that the Australian driver might have a crucial advantage over his British teammate.

McLaren’s recent streak fuels the championship fight

After four consecutive races finished with a McLaren one-two, the Woking-based team has surpassed Max Verstappen in the standings, turning the last ten races into a direct fight for the drivers’ championship. While Lando Norris was considered the natural team leader until last year, this season Oscar Piastri has shaken up the hierarchy, claiming significant victories starting with his win in Saudi Arabia.

Nico Rosberg, speaking on The F1 Show, noted that the two drivers are now on an equal footing in terms of pure speed, but he described a “scary advantage” for Piastri:

“We can no longer say that Lando is slightly faster. Oscar has always been quick, but now I see him on par. The difference will be in Norris’ mind: he will need to stay solid and withstand the pressure,” Rosberg explained.

Qualifying stats reflect the shift in momentum

A telling statistic comes from qualifying sessions: in 2025, Piastri leads Norris 8-6 in head-to-head comparisons, a marked improvement over 2024 when the British driver consistently outperformed him. Norris has made a few costly mistakes, such as the collision with his teammate in Canada that cost him valuable points. However, before the summer break, he regained ground by winning three of the last four races.

Nico Rosberg concluded by praising Oscar Piastri’s current level:

“Oscar is incredibly strong, consistent, and fast. He no longer has weak points, and this can pose a problem for Lando, who still shows some vulnerabilities,” he said.

The rivalry will resume at the Zandvoort circuit for the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled from August 29 to 31, where the McLaren teammates are expected to continue their intense battle for supremacy in the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship.