Oscar Piastri has surpassed Lando Norris in the ongoing Lando Norris F1 title battle, according to former driver Jolyon Palmer, who suggests the Australian’s point lead could have been significantly larger. Although just nine points separate the McLaren teammates after 14 races, Palmer believes that Piastri’s advantage should be more substantial due to unfortunate race incidents that have narrowed the gap.
Starting the season strong, Norris had an early advantage over Piastri, having comfortably outperformed him in 2024. However, Piastri’s form improved rapidly, highlighted by three consecutive victories that positioned him as the likely title contender for this season. Despite this, Piastri has faced moments of misfortune, such as strategic errors and on-track incidents that have cost him valuable points.
Critical Moments Shaping the McLaren Teammates’ Championship Fight
One notable incident occurred just before the summer break, when Piastri’s two-stop strategy contrasted with Norris’s more successful one-stop approach from third on the grid, allowing Norris to secure a race win. Palmer points to this and several other key moments, stating that Piastri’s current nine-point lead could realistically be a commanding 61-point margin if luck had better favored him.
He explained,
“What I’ve been thinking is Piastri has been the better driver,”
during an appearance on F1 Nation.
“And we’re talking about the fine margins, nine points, Lando winning three of the last four. But on pretty much all stats and viewing, Piastri has been the better driver so far. And I look through and I think that championship lead that’s nine points, could easily be 61 points, but largely for a bit of luck.”
Palmer further broke down specific races impacting the title race:
“So I’m thinking there’s 16 points lost in Melbourne. Both McLarens go skittling off through the gravel, Oscar’s is slightly more than Lando’s and it cost Oscar on the day, 16 points.”
He pointed to the controversial Silverstone decision, where Piastri was deemed to have made a tough but unpenalized call that ultimately denied him a win. Palmer also mentioned the timing of the safety car at Imola as another unfortunate factor for Piastri, costing an estimated six points.
Additionally, Palmer highlighted Budapest’s race, where Norris capitalized on a poor start to shape strategy advantages Piastri missed.
“So when you look at all those points lost, even the two points in the Miami sprint, where a safety car timing cost Oscar the win and gave it to Lando, there’s been a lot of things that have just gone towards Lando in these first 14 races,”
he noted.
Insights on McLaren’s F1 Dynamics and Title Prospects
While both drivers have shown strong pace, Palmer emphasized that Piastri’s qualifying performance has marginally outshone Norris’s.
“Oscar’s overall outqualified him by a slender margin, and I think he’s outraced him, and the gap could be so much more comfortable. But as it is, it’s nine and it’s absolutely on for anyone,”
Palmer added.
Team principal Frederik Vasseur recently stated that Piastri remains the clear favourite heading into the 2025 season, with McLaren eager to capitalize on their drivers’ progress and maintain their competitive edge. Meanwhile, the drivers continue their close, tense rivalry as the championship battle intensifies over the remaining races.
The unfolding duel between Piastri and Norris, fueled by fine margins and strategic complexity, underscores the unpredictable nature of the 2024 F1 season and sets the stage for a compelling conclusion to an already thrilling campaign.
