JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton delivers ‘cut-throat’ advice to McLaren stars in Max Verstappen title fight… Read more

Lewis Hamilton Urges McLaren Duo to Be ‘Cut-Throat’ in Fight Against Verstappen

 

By Hugo Harvey | October 25, 2025

 

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion [Lewis Hamilton] has offered some sharp advice to [Lando Norris] and [Oscar Piastri] as the [McLaren] teammates continue their tense championship battle with [Max Verstappen] heading into the final stretch of the 2025 season. With just five rounds remaining, the fight for the world title has become one of the most intense in years — and Hamilton believes only a ruthless approach will decide who comes out on top.

 

After the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen began to claw back what once seemed an unassailable gap. The Red Bull star has since reduced the deficit to leader Piastri from 104 points down to just 40, reigniting hopes of a fifth world championship. Both McLaren drivers have shown brilliant form this season, but Hamilton — who has been through numerous title duels himself — warned that mental strength, focus, and a “cut-throat” mindset will be crucial if they want to deny Verstappen.

 

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked what advice he would give to the McLaren pair, both vying for their maiden F1 crown. The Briton explained that while he respected their achievements in other racing categories, the intensity of an F1 title fight was a different kind of challenge.

 

> “Obviously, they’ve both won other championships before, so they know how to win,” Hamilton began. “But when you’re in this position, it’s incredibly tough — the pressure is sky-high. It’s a time where you’ve got to put your blinkers on and block everything from the outside. There’s so much noise, both positive and negative, that can easily distract you.”

 

 

 

Hamilton, known for his own steely determination during championship runs, added that McLaren’s young stars would need to adopt the same ruthless attitude that has defined Verstappen’s dominance in recent seasons.

 

> “You really have to be cut-throat,” he continued. “That’s what Max is. He’s going to take this from them if they don’t do the same. They’ve got to be pushing all the way and dig deep, because holding off someone like Max — in the car he’s got right now — is no easy task.”

 

 

 

The Mercedes driver emphasized that consistency would be the deciding factor in the title chase. Verstappen’s recent performances have shown that relentless form and minimal mistakes often prove the difference between victory and defeat.

 

> “For either of them to come out ahead, consistency is key,” Hamilton said. “You’ve seen that from Max over the last few races. That’s what wins championships.”

 

 

 

Hamilton also reflected on the broader significance of Verstappen’s return to contention, saying it added even more excitement to an already thrilling season. While McLaren have dominated much of 2025 — even securing the Constructors’ Championship — the prospect of Red Bull’s resurgence has re-energized the fight at the top.

 

> “I think it’s great,” Hamilton admitted. “Having McLaren out front has been impressive, and the internal fight between their two drivers has kept it exciting. But bringing another team and another driver like Max back into the mix makes it even better. That’s exactly what Formula 1 should be like.”

 

 

 

He also looked back fondly on his own past battles with Verstappen, noting how the intense back-and-forth between teams and drivers is what fans love most about the sport.

 

> “It was great for me having those battles with Max — not just driver against driver, but the whole teams pushing each other,” Hamilton said. “The development race, the consistency, the drama — that’s what people tune in to see.”

 

 

 

As the championship heads into the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, all eyes will be on Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen. The trio are separated by less than two race wins’ worth of points, setting up one of the closest title finales in recent history.

 

Hamilton’s words serve as both a warning and a lesson: in Formula 1, especially at the sharp end of the grid, niceties rarely win championships. To beat a competitor as relentless as Verstappen, McLaren’s young duo may have to take a page from Hamilton’s own playbook — stay focused, stay fierce, and above all, stay “cut-throat.”

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