Hamilton's 'Cut-Throat' Advice for Piastri and Norris in Verstappen Title Fight

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has offered stark advice to McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, urging them to be "cut-throat" if they hope to beat a resurgent Max Verstappen in the thrilling three-way battle for the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. With five races remaining, starting this weekend in Mexico, Verstappen has closed the gap significantly, turning a McLaren intra-team fight into a high-stakes three-driver contest.

Why it matters:

The F1 2025 season is heading for a dramatic conclusion, with the championship now a genuine three-way fight. This shift from a purely McLaren internal battle to one including Red Bull's dominant champion significantly raises the stakes and promises an exhilarating finish, benefiting the sport by offering diverse narratives and intense on-track action.

The Details:

• Tight Standings: Piastri currently leads, but Norris is just 14 points behind. Verstappen, after winning three of the last four races, is now only 40 points off the pace.
• Hamilton's Advice: Drawing on his own fierce 2021 title battle with Verstappen, Hamilton emphasized the need for Piastri and Norris to:
  • Block External Noise: "Put your blinkers up, block absolutely everything from the outside... positive and negative."
  • Be 'Cut-Throat': "That's what Max is, he's going to take this from them if they don't do the same."
  • Dig Deep: They must push and "dig deep to, firstly, be able to hold off someone like Max and in the car that he's in at the moment."
  • Consistency is Key: For either McLaren driver to win, consistency will be crucial, a trait Hamilton noted in Verstappen's recent performances.
• Chaser vs. Defender: Hamilton highlighted that Piastri, as the points leader, is in a more difficult position than Norris or Verstappen. "Being the hunter is much easier than being the defender. When you're in the lead and someone's chopping away at your lead that plays on you more than if you're chasing."
• Benefit to the Sport: Hamilton believes a three-way battle involving drivers from different teams (McLaren and Red Bull) is "great" for F1, increasing excitement and viewer engagement, akin to his past battles with Verstappen.

What's next:

The championship battle continues this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix. All eyes will be on how Piastri handles the pressure as the hunted, and whether Norris and Verstappen can maintain their aggressive 'hunter' mentality. The dynamic between the McLaren teammates, coupled with Verstappen's formidable challenge, ensures that the remaining races will be must-watch events, culminating in an unpredictable and thrilling conclusion to the 2025 season.