In Formula One, there’s always more than just speed at play—it’s also a mental game.
And right now, McLaren’s garage is buzzing not just with performance talk, but with rivalry.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, two of the sport’s brightest young talents, are turning this season into a showdown.
While Piastri has the upper hand with five wins to Norris’s two, the Brit remains defiant, even as questions about his mental strength continue to circle like vultures.
A City with History, and a Racer in Reflection
Montreal, home to the 1976 Olympic rowing lake and a reminder of the city’s long-finished financial nightmare, is once again the stage for high-stakes drama—this time on the track.
As the Canadian Grand Prix approaches, Norris, seated inside near that very lake, is keeping to himself.
Watching the US Open golf on his phone, he’s visibly distant, maybe even looking for a moment’s escape from the growing pressure.
But make no mistake—his phone isn’t just about golf.
It’s a barrier, a way to avoid a line of questioning he’s clearly grown tired of: does he really have what it takes mentally to become world champion?
The One Question He Hates Most
It’s a question that follows him like a shadow: does Lando Norris have the grit, not just the skill, to become champion? At 25, he’s no longer the fresh-faced rookie.
And though he still obliges the media with polite answers, there’s a visible weariness when this particular topic comes up.
He knows the stakes. If he manages to outpace not only his teammate Piastri but also Max Verstappen—currently trailing by 49 points—he’d be vaulted into a new league of respect.
If not, it could have lasting consequences on his career and confidence.
Dismissing the Momentum Theory
Interestingly, Norris doesn’t buy into the popular belief that momentum is everything in racing.
It’s a viewpoint that many would call optimistic—if not naïve—especially given that Piastri’s consistency in qualifying has been a game-changer this season.
Norris entered the season confident in his one-lap pace, but Piastri has repeatedly edged him out in that very department.
Still, Norris holds firm. “I don’t feel I need perfection to beat Oscar,” he said. “I need to be very good.
I always want to achieve perfection, but I don’t think that’s ever possible.”
It sounds like he’s trying to take the edge off the pressure—remind himself that doing your best is good enough.
In a sport like F1, sometimes you need that kind of self-talk just to stay grounded.
When Rosberg Weighed In
Two weeks ago in Barcelona, Norris made a costly qualifying error.
And 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, now a pundit, didn’t hold back.
He suggested that Norris might benefit from seeing a psychologist, much like Rosberg did when battling Lewis Hamilton.
“It was in the head at the end,” Rosberg said on Sky Sports. “Lando was overdriving from Turn One.
You could see it—he was pushing too hard and making mistakes.
Piastri, on the other hand, is solid. No errors.”
That commentary didn’t exactly go over well at McLaren HQ.
Some inside the team felt Rosberg was trying to grab headlines with sensational opinions.
But if we’re being honest, he wasn’t wrong—he just said what many were already thinking.
Lando’s Measured Response
When asked about Rosberg’s comments, Norris seemed slightly rattled.
“I don’t know what he said. I mean, I do all of those things.
He doesn’t know what I do. I do stuff to make me better.”
He didn’t go into detail, perhaps deliberately, keeping his mental prep strategies close to his chest.
And that’s fair. Not every athlete wants their coping mechanisms publicized.
But it also adds to the mystery—what exactly is Norris doing to handle the increasing pressure?
Handling F1’s Spotlight
Norris admits that the bright lights of Formula One can mess with your head.
Early in his career, he admits he was dazzled by it all.
Now? He says he’s learned not to care as much about outside noise.
“I try not to think about it,” he said. “You’re going to get judged more, but it shouldn’t change your output.
Now I’m better—maybe not in an arrogant way—but I care less about what outsiders think.
The only opinions I care about are from my team. They know me.”
That self-assurance might be crucial in the weeks ahead, as the pressure only builds.
No Drama, Just Drive
Despite everything, Norris insists his mindset hasn’t changed. “I never really know what I’m feeling.
Same as old. I’m excited to drive—nothing different from normal.”
He’s particularly keen on Montreal’s track, which he says demands precision and commitment.
“It’s fun, but tough. The walls punish you. The kerbs are harsh—not like Monaco, but not forgiving either. You need good timing.”
The Rivalry That’s Defining the Season
As it stands, the battle between Norris and Piastri is shaping up to be one of the defining rivalries of the season.
The leaderboard tells part of the story—Piastri ahead by 10 points—but the real narrative is about how these two handle the psychological warfare that comes with such close competition.
For Norris, the next few races aren’t just about points—they’re about proving to everyone, and maybe even to himself, that he has what it takes.