Lando Norris’s victory at the British Grand Prix has shifted the momentum of the 2025 Drivers’ World Championship battle in his favor, reigniting competition with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. The closely contested title fight has gained new intensity following Norris’s recent performances on home soil.
Former world champion Damon Hill believes Norris has found renewed momentum and confidence, which could prove crucial as the season progresses and the two drivers vie for the championship lead.
Critical Moments at the British Grand Prix Alter Championship Dynamics
Norris secured his fourth win of the season at Silverstone after Piastri, who was leading on lap 21, received a 10-second penalty for an incident during a Safety Car restart. Officials deemed Piastri’s actions erratic as he braked unexpectedly while attempting to keep his brakes and tyres warm as the Safety Car lights turned off.
This penalty forced Piastri to remain stationary in the pit box for 10 seconds before his team could work on his car, allowing Norris to overtake and hold the lead until the race’s conclusion. This result cut Piastri’s championship advantage to just eight points after the Australian had previously built a stronger lead.
The Silverstone outcome was a notable turnaround following the Canadian Grand Prix, where Norris’s race ended prematurely after a collision with Piastri.
Damon Hill Highlights Norris’s Renewed Confidence and Performance
Damon Hill shared his thoughts on Norris’s improvement during the Sky Sports F1 Show podcast, explaining the significance of the recent results:
“I think Lando’s got the momentum,”
Hill said.
“I think he’s found his traction. You know, he’s found his footing. So like when you’re trying to climb up a very steep hill and you can’t get traction, I think he slipped a few times.”
—Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
“Now he’s just managed to get his feet to grip, and he can push off from there.”
—Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
Norris began the season strongly, winning in difficult conditions in Melbourne, but was soon overshadowed by Piastri, who captured three consecutive victories starting in Bahrain. During that period, Norris appeared to struggle with the pressures of competing against his teammate at the front of the championship.
However, Norris returned to form with a commanding qualifying performance in Monaco, followed by a solid race weekend at the Red Bull Ring, where he took victory in Austria. Even at Silverstone, despite following Piastri for much of the race, Norris stayed close enough to capitalize on his teammate’s misfortune.
Hill also remarked on Norris’s speed relative to Piastri’s and his improving mental composure:
“I think I always thought Lando in a race is faster than Oscar,”
he said.
“I think he had a few nervy qualifiers, so he dropped a few [poles] with getting into the last few moments of the last run of a qualifying session. But now, his head is settling. I really do. And then I think he’s dangerous.”
—Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
How the Rivalry Between Norris and Piastri Has Unfolded So Far
Since the Canadian GP incident, Norris has demonstrated a noticeable mental shift, brushing aside past disappointments and focusing on consistent performance. His two recent wins have narrowed the gap in the championship, suggesting the pendulum could be swinging back in his favor after Piastri’s earlier dominance.
Despite the positive results, Norris acknowledges the challenge involved in maintaining momentum and the demanding nature of battling for every fraction of a second across sessions and races.
Following his Silverstone victory, Norris commented:
“Two weekends doesn’t mean anything otherwise. And I just need to keep it up and keep working hard.”
—Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
His emphasis on consistency and mental resilience highlights the ongoing pressure both McLaren drivers face as they continue their intense internal title fight throughout the season.
What This Means for the Championship and McLaren’s Future
The renewed vigor from Norris adds a fresh dynamic to the 2025 championship race, promising a fascinating battle between two highly talented teammates. With only eight points separating Norris and Piastri, each race weekend is critical, and small incidents like penalties or strategic decisions could sway the outcome.
Damon Hill’s analysis underscores the importance of mental strength and momentum in a tightly fought title race, suggesting Norris’s recent performances could mark a turning point. As the season unfolds, McLaren’s drivers will need to maintain focus and consistency to capitalize on their championship opportunities.
The competition between Norris and Piastri continues to captivate fans and define the narrative of the 2025 Formula 1 season, with several race weekends still to come that will decide the ultimate winner.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. “Did charles leclerc adopt oscar piastri? that answer also changed a few weeks ago, and yes, i did. he’s one of my sons now.”
A. Did Charles take legal responsibility for Oscar Piastri?
Q. How did Lily Zneimer and Oscar Piastri meet?
A. They first crossed paths at a boarding school called Haileybury. During their next-to-last year, he and Zneimer started dating. “We’ve been a couple since then,” Piastri mentioned in the Eff Won podcast in 2023. By that time, they had been together for over four years.
Q. Is Oscar Piastri actually Chinese?
A. After the Qualifying press conference on Saturday, Piastri mentioned he is 1/16th Chinese. He thanked fans at the Shanghai International Circuit. “I’m serious about my Chinese heritage!” the three-time race winner said, smiling.
Q. How much is Oscar Piastri paid?
A. Oscar Piastri has a three-year contract with McLaren that includes an $81 signing bonus. In 2025, he will make a base salary of $6,000,000, and his total impact on the team’s budget will be $6,000,000.