Lando Norris has shown a noticeable change in attitude as the 2025 F1 title fight intensifies against his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. Heading into the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend in Montreal, Norris trails Piastri by just 10 points in the drivers’ championship, highlighting a closely contested battle for the title.
So far this season, momentum has largely favored Piastri, who has secured five wins, outpacing Norris by three race victories. Despite this, Norris marked a significant comeback by winning the Monaco Grand Prix in a flawless performance, proving his capability in the championship fight. Norris also clinched pole position at Monaco with an impressive lap ahead of local favorite Charles Leclerc, addressing one of his main struggles this season—qualifying. This area remains a challenge for Norris, who has lost the qualifying duel to Piastri five times already in 2025, a reversal compared to 2024 when he dominated with a 20-4 advantage.
Subtle Shift in Norris’s Mindset During Monaco Weekend
Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham observed a subtle but significant shift in Norris’s demeanor following his pole position at Monaco. Unlike most drivers who celebrate enthusiastically after securing pole at Monaco, Norris appeared unusually composed and restrained.
I’ve just noticed a slight shift from him, and it was in the pen after Monaco qualifying,
Pinkham stated.
She went on to describe Norris’s atypical reaction: instead of celebrating, he adopted a more measured approach, suggesting either a personal decision or a team strategy to maintain focus and avoid giving too much away to rivals and the media. This disciplined mindset seemed to pay off as Norris delivered a commanding race win the following day. Pinkham added,
I don’t know, it was a subtle change, but I thought a significant one.
Fierce Title Battle Heads to Canadian Grand Prix
As the 2025 title race narrows, all eyes turn to Montreal, where the Canadian Grand Prix will play a critical role in determining the championship leader. Despite regulatory changes such as the FIA’s clampdown on flexi-wings, McLaren remains the dominant team this season. The team demonstrated their strength with a third one-two finish of the year in Barcelona, underscoring their consistency and performance advantage.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen trails the leaders considerably, sitting 49 points behind Piastri after a disappointing 10th-place finish in Spain. Verstappen also faces scrutiny following a 10-second time penalty for a collision with George Russell, which will require him to exercise caution in upcoming races.
Looking Ahead to the Shifting Dynamics of the Title Race
The developing tension between Norris and Piastri highlights not only intra-team rivalry but also a potential shift in McLaren’s approach as the championship unfolds. Norris’s newfound composure and calculated focus could prove decisive as both drivers aim to capitalize on their opportunities. The Canadian Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal chapter, potentially shaping the trajectory of the 2025 F1 drivers’ battle.
