Why it matters
McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are locked in a fierce battle for the F1 2025 Drivers' Championship, with Nico Rosberg highlighting Piastri's formidable consistency as a key factor Norris must overcome. The pair are separated by just nine points heading into the summer break.
The fierce rivalry
- McLaren drivers have claimed 1-2 finishes in the last four races, propelling them ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen in the standings.
- Piastri leads Norris 8-6 in qualifying head-to-head this season and has held the championship lead since April's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
- Norris, despite previously outperforming Piastri, has faced costly mistakes, including a collision with Piastri in Canada. However, he has won three of the last four races to close a 22-point deficit.
Rosberg's analysis
Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg suggests that Norris and Piastri are "on a par" in raw speed, but Piastri's 'scary' lack of weakness gives him an edge.
- "You can't really say that Lando is a smidge quicker anymore... Oscar has just been extremely quick always, and I see them kind of on a par."
- "The championship is going to be decided in Lando's head... It's how solid can Lando become?"
- "Oscar is just incredibly solid, strong and fast. There's no weaknesses there... which is a bit scary for Lando because Lando does have weaknesses."
What's next
The F1 season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on August 29-31, promising a thrilling second half to the championship.
