As the Formula 1 paddock heads to the Austrian Grand Prix, Sky Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher has stirred the conversation with a bold claim: McLaren may have likely decided to favour Oscar Piastri over Lando Norris from this point on in the ongoing 2025 championship battle.
Schumacher’s assertions follow a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix that saw Norris crash into the back of his teammate during a late-race scrap for fourth place, a moment that cost the Briton valuable points and left Piastri 22 points ahead in the drivers’ standings.
In his analysis for Sky Germany, Schumacher believes McLaren has likely made a quiet but definitive call to rally behind the Australian.
“I believe that it is now internally decided that Piastri is the man the team will focus on in terms of the world championship,” the six-time Grand Prix winner said.
“Lando shows too many weaknesses and makes too many mistakes, including his senseless driving into the back of Oscar in Canada.”
Despite Norris taking full responsibility for the incident and offering an apology to both the team and his teammate, Schumacher argued that such traits, while admirable, do not help in a title campaign.
“He has apologised and that shows what a great person he is. But it’s no use, because great people rarely win titles.”
It’s important to note, however, that McLaren has made no public statement suggesting any change in approach toward its drivers.
Both Norris and Piastri have consistently received equal treatment from the team, and there has been no indication from team leadership that a No.1 driver has been preferred.
Norris “still has the speed,” but questions linger
Schumacher didn’t shy away from acknowledging Norris’s raw speed – particularly during the race in Montreal, where the Brit looked like a serious contender before his costly misjudgment.
“This is the low point now because he has lost his nerve a bit,” Schumacher added.
“You have to give him one thing, he was once again faster than Piastri. He didn’t manage to do it in qualifying, but in the race he closed the gap and was simply better.
“He still has the speed, especially in the race. Norris has this sensitivity when it comes to the stress on the tyres. In [Alain] Prost’s time, one would have said ‘professor’. The only problem is in Lando’s head.”
Schumacher’s remarks underscore a recurring debate about Norris’s ability to deliver under pressure. While widely considered one of the most talented drivers on the grid, Norris has, at times, struggled to convert strong pace into points when the stakes are highest.
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Stella: Piastri’s title charge fueled by ‘holistic’ growthMeanwhile, Piastri’s cool and consistent performances – paired with his growing points advantage—have drawn increasing attention, particularly as McLaren emerges as a potential threat in the Constructors’ Championship.
Whether Schumacher’s prediction of a quiet shift within McLaren proves accurate remains to be seen. For now, both drivers are set to continue receiving equal opportunities – on paper at least – as the title fight intensifies.
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