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Rosberg Backs Piastri in Norris’ 2025 F1 Title Bid
Nico Rosberg has tipped McLaren’s Oscar Piastri to challenge his teammate Lando Norris for the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, asserting that McLaren’s resurgence could lead to an intense intra-team battle for supremacy.
The 2024 F1 season marked McLaren’s remarkable return to form as they claimed the Constructors’ Championship title, outpacing Ferrari and narrowing the gap to Red Bull. Lando Norris secured second place in the Drivers’ standings, but his campaign fell short due to costly errors in critical moments, allowing Max Verstappen to clinch the championship.
McLaren’s 2024 Revival and Strategic “Papaya Rules”
McLaren’s transformation was fueled by significant mid-season upgrades, including a revamped floor introduced in Austria, which laid the foundation for consistent performance gains. Unlike their rivals, McLaren avoided missteps during their development phase, enabling them to mount a serious title challenge.
Their “papaya rules” strategy, prioritizing Norris in the championship fight, became evident in races like the Brazil Sprint, where Piastri sacrificed his win to aid Norris. However, the plan unraveled during the Grand Prix when Norris dropped from first to sixth after two costly errors. Verstappen capitalized on McLaren’s slip, surging from 17th to claim victory and end a 10-race drought. The Dutchman secured the title at the following round in Las Vegas, while Norris was left reflecting on missed opportunities.
Rosberg’s 2025 Prediction: A Battle Within McLaren
As McLaren prepares for the 2025 season, Rosberg believes Piastri could emerge as a serious contender alongside Norris. “Lando has that little bit more pure speed,” Rosberg explained to Sky F1. “But he makes one or two small mistakes occasionally. Oscar, on the other hand, might lack a touch of Lando’s raw pace but is more consistent. That solidity could make him a real threat for the title.”
Despite finishing the season behind Norris in points and Grand Prix head-to-heads (16-8), Piastri demonstrated his potential, tying with Norris in Sprint race results and showing flashes of brilliance in key moments. However, Norris dominated the qualifying battle with a 20-4 advantage, underscoring his superior one-lap speed.
Respect and Rivalry in the McLaren Camp
Piastri’s strong debut season earned him respect within the paddock, including praise from Naomi Schiff. “He’s clearly pushed Lando,” Schiff said. “You want a teammate who challenges you, but also one who races fairly. Piastri has shown he can do both.”
Norris, meanwhile, acknowledged the need to address his mistakes to strengthen his title challenge. “I have to improve in many areas,” he admitted. “Those errors at crucial times cost me the championship.”
2025 Outlook: McLaren’s Double Threat
With McLaren’s improved car and two highly capable drivers, the team could pose a significant challenge to Red Bull and Verstappen. The Norris-Piastri dynamic will be pivotal, as the team must balance internal competition with the goal of achieving another Constructors’ title and a Drivers’ championship.
Rosberg’s prediction sets the stage for a thrilling 2025 season, with McLaren poised to lead the charge in a highly competitive grid.
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