JUST IN: Pressure Intensifies for Lando Norris As…read more
Pressure Intensifies for Lando Norris as Oscar Piastri Surges Ahead in Early 2025 F1 Season
Lando Norris entered the 2025 Formula 1 season as a title contender after a strong 2024 campaign, where he challenged Max Verstappen. With McLaren providing a significantly improved car this season, many expected Norris to build on last year’s momentum. However, the spotlight has shifted to his teammate, Oscar Piastri, who has outpaced Norris in the opening races.
Piastri has taken four wins from the first six races, while Norris has secured just one victory. Verstappen, too, has managed only one win, highlighting Piastri’s dominance. This has come as a surprise to many, given that Norris was widely regarded as McLaren’s leading driver just a year ago, and expectations were high for him to assume the top role within the team.
Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve weighed in, suggesting that Norris’s struggles are not due to Piastri’s rise but rather his own mindset. Villeneuve believes that Norris has allowed pressure and self-doubt to affect his performance, noting the Briton’s tendency to be overly self-critical. He suggested that it isn’t Piastri playing mind games with Norris, but rather Norris putting pressure on himself.
“Oscar Piastri hasn’t done anything to get inside Lando’s head. Lando has created pressure for himself,” Villeneuve told Vision4Sport. He pointed out that Piastri’s calm confidence since the first race has been key to his strong results, while Norris has been chasing to regain his rhythm and confidence.
Villeneuve also noted the mental toll the off-season has had on Norris. In 2024, Norris thrived as an underdog, competing for wins without the burden of high expectations. This year, however, with McLaren’s improvements and Norris touted as a championship contender, the pressure has mounted. Villeneuve believes Norris likely viewed 2025 as a career-defining moment—a “now or never” opportunity for the title.
“Last year, he was the unexpected challenger, no pressure—just results. This year, everything is riding on it. He probably thought, ‘This is my big chance,’” Villeneuve added.
Despite the struggles, Norris has been open about his performance, often admitting his mistakes. This honesty may make him appear vulnerable but also shows his self-awareness. He understands the challenges he faces relative to Piastri and isn’t in denial about his current position.
With the season still in its early stages, Norris has plenty of time to regroup and mount a comeback. If he can regain his confidence and reduce the pressure he places on himself, there’s still every chance he could challenge both Piastri and Verstappen as the 2025 season progresses.
