Oscar Piastri could hold a subtle but important advantage over Lando Norris in the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship, according to insights from Helmut Marko.
As the summer break arrives, the McLaren duo is separated by only nine points, with the Australian leading the standings. From the next Grand Prix until the end of the season, we are set to witness an internal battle for the F1 title between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. In a recent interview, Helmut Marko acknowledged that Piastri possesses certain qualities that could give him an edge over his teammate and potentially carry him to the championship.
Sparks on track between teammates
In recent races, subtle clashes between the two McLaren drivers have become visible. The most notable incident occurred at the Canadian Grand Prix, which resulted in Lando Norris retiring from the race. In Austria, the two drivers nearly came into contact during an overtaking attempt by Piastri. In Hungary, strategic decisions by the British driver thwarted his teammate, who in the closing laps risked an aggressive manoeuvre to reclaim the lead, almost causing an accident. These moments illustrate both the competitive intensity and the fine margins separating the two teammates as they chase the title.
Oscar Piastri’s points in his favor
According to Helmut Marko’s comments to F1 Insider, Oscar Piastri has certain advantages over Lando Norris in the ongoing championship battle. While Norris may currently hold the upper hand in terms of pure lap speed, Marko emphasizes that other factors play a crucial role in achieving major milestones in Formula 1.
“Piastri has courage, he is more consistent, and he always manages to deliver the best version of himself. I have never seen him so emotionally charged compared to Lando. Norris may be faster over a single lap, but overall I see Oscar ahead. Last year, he experienced significant fluctuations depending on the track, but now that is no longer the case,” Marko said.
Marko also highlighted that, in contrast, there is little that can be done for Max Verstappen at this stage. The technical and points gap is too significant for the Red Bull driver to focus heavily on the current season. However, he expressed optimism for the future, suggesting that 2026 could bring a different landscape: “Verstappen is Verstappen. Piastri still has a long way to go. But the potential to become a great driver is there.”
As the season resumes after the summer break, the internal McLaren battle will likely become one of the most compelling storylines, with Piastri’s consistency and mental resilience possibly giving him the slight edge over Norris in the quest for the drivers’ championship.
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