A former F1 driver, in a recent interview, revealed the real difference between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Here’s what it is.
Robert Doornbos is a former Minardi and Red Bull driver who competed in F1 from 2005 to 2006. In the latest episode of his podcast The Pit Talk, among the various topics discussed, the Dutch ex-driver focused on the title fight between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. According to Robert Doornbos, however, only one of the two is the real title favorite.
After the first 10 races of the F1 season, Oscar Piastri leads the standings with a 22-point advantage over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. The gap widened after a mistake made by driver #4 during the Canadian Grand Prix.
The difference between the two McLaren drivers
What truly sets Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri apart? According to Robert Doornbos, there is a clear gap between the two. The former driver was direct: “Lando [Norris] is not on Oscar [Piastri]’s level. I think Oscar [Piastri] is a real World Champion, many titles ahead in the near future. Then there’s a difference between a great driver who can win races, who is up there, but who doesn’t have that magic touch.”
Robert Doornbos also compared them to some recent F1 drivers: “Coulthard, Webber, Doornbos—great drivers—but then there was Sebastian Vettel, who was always two or three tenths faster.” The Dutchman added: “The way he drives, the way Oscar defends, it’s different. It’s pure talent. I mean, data doesn’t lie.”
To further explain his point, Robert Doornbos recalled a direct comparison with Sebastian Vettel: “When I did a lap with Vettel in the same car in Jerez, I had the data and he was three tenths faster. You look at the data and think: ‘Okay, in Turn 1 he brakes two meters later’—but you’re coming in at 300 km/h. What are two meters at 300 km/h? It’s pure instinct. He’s on the throttle half a second earlier. Add that over 15 corners and it’s three tenths. But three tenths for 70 consecutive laps. So when you add it up, there’s a difference between finishing on the podium or finishing eighth or ninth.”
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