Hill: Verstappen may respect Piastri's decisiveness more than Norris's caution

Damon Hill believes Max Verstappen may hold a unique respect for Oscar Piastri due to the McLaren driver's decisive and unhesitating approach in wheel-to-wheel combat, a trait he suggests Lando Norris can be more circumspect about. The 1996 world champion points to Piastri's aggressive overtaking skill as a key factor that commands recognition from a competitor like Verstappen.

Why it matters:

Understanding driver dynamics and perceived respect on track is crucial in F1's psychological warfare. A driver known for his own uncompromising style, like Verstappen, may inherently acknowledge and adjust his approach against a rival who mirrors that decisiveness without intimidation. This perceived dynamic could influence future on-track battles and strategic decisions between the top contenders.

The details:

• Hill, speaking on the Drive to Wynn podcast, highlighted Piastri's ability to be an "aggressive and decisive overtaker" who "will not hesitate" when attacking.
• He contrasted this with Norris, suggesting the British driver can be "a little bit more circumspect and wary of Max," a trait Verstappen himself is aware of.
• Hill cited the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix incident, where Verstappen and Piastri made contact and Verstappen took to an escape road, as an example where Piastri was not "particularly intimidated" by Verstappen's tactics.
• The underlying suggestion is that Verstappen's recognition of Piastri's immediate commitment in a duel fosters a different level of track respect compared to interactions with other rivals.

The big picture:

This analysis comes after a season where Piastri emerged as a consistent front-runner, finishing a close third in the championship and winning five of the first nine races. His rapid adaptation and race-winning speed have solidified his status as a top-tier driver. Hill's comments shed light on the intangible, respect-based hierarchies that form within the grid, which can be as influential as pure car performance in dictating the outcome of close fights.

What's next:

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on how these inter-team and inter-driver dynamics evolve. If McLaren provides Piastri and Norris with a car capable of consistently challenging Red Bull, the frequency and ferocity of their battles with Verstappen will increase. Piastri's perceived fearlessness could become a significant strategic asset for McLaren in those moments, potentially forcing Verstappen into more calculated defensive moves.