Button: Norris's Confidence Rising, Piastri Facing Negativity

Jenson Button believes Lando Norris has gained significant confidence in recent races, narrowing the gap to his McLaren teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri. According to Button, if Norris can maintain this momentum, it will be a major boost for the remaining five race weekends of the season, while placing more mental pressure on Piastri.

Why it matters:

After a challenging start, Norris appears to be finding his stride, which could lead to an intense internal battle at McLaren. This shift in confidence could not only dictate the outcome of their intra-team rivalry but also impact McLaren's overall constructors' championship ambitions, especially with a resurgent Max Verstappen now closing in on both drivers.

The Details:

• Norris's Growing Confidence: Speaking before the United States Grand Prix, the 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button observed Norris's positive demeanor, noting that he's consistently been three-tenths faster than Piastri throughout recent weekends.
  • Button specifically highlighted that if Norris could "come out on top" at Circuit of The Americas, it would provide a substantial confidence boost for the rest of the season.
• Piastri's Mental Challenge: Button also pointed out the mentally taxing position Piastri is in, stating, "the confidence is with Lando, and the negativity is more with Oscar, which we never thought would happen with Oscar!"
  • He emphasized the immense mental toll sports can take, especially in high-pressure environments like F1.
• Championship Standings: With five race weekends left, including two more sprint races, Piastri's lead over Norris has shrunk to just 14 points.
  • Verstappen's Surge: Adding to the pressure, Max Verstappen has shown formidable form post-summer break, winning the Italian, Azerbaijan, and United States Grands Prix, as well as a sprint race at COTA, alongside two second-place finishes.
  • This has allowed Verstappen to close the gap to 40 points behind Piastri and 26 points behind Norris in the standings.

The big picture:

The dynamic between Norris and Piastri is shifting, with Norris demonstrating renewed vigor and consistency. This internal battle is now further complicated by Max Verstappen's relentless pursuit, making the fight for second in the drivers' championship—and McLaren's position in the constructors' standings—a thrilling prospect as the season nears its conclusion.

What's next:

The remaining races will be crucial in determining whether Norris can fully capitalize on his newfound confidence to overtake Piastri and secure a higher championship position. How Piastri responds to this increasing pressure and the resurgence of Verstappen will also be a key storyline to watch. McLaren's ability to manage this intense internal rivalry while fending off external threats will be paramount.