Nico Rosberg expressed skepticism that a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s caliber would have committed the mistakes that Lando Norris made during the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Norris began the race on pole position but lost the lead early to his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, and although he fought back, he ultimately finished three seconds behind. Rosberg’s remarks cast a spotlight on the differences in experience and racecraft at this critical stage of the Formula 1 season.
Key Moments and Mistakes That Shaped Norris’ Race
Norris started strong by securing pole position, but the challenging wet conditions combined with strategic decisions complicated his race. After a rain delay, he lost the lead to Piastri on the very first lap, largely due to the long Kemmel Straight at Spa, which makes defending from slipstream attacks very difficult. In the closing laps, Norris pushed hard in an attempt to catch Piastri but made three significant errors, including locking up at Turn 1 and going off track at Pouhon, losing crucial seconds in the process.
The race saw a split in tire strategies, with Norris running on hard compounds and Piastri on mediums, adding another layer of complexity. Despite these challenges, Norris remained positive about his performance under tough conditions. Reflecting on his race for Sky Sports F1, he said,
“I had a couple of lock-ups in Turn 1, I went off in Pouhon, I had a big bump. I lost a couple of seconds there.”
He emphasized the tricky weather and his need to push aggressively, explaining,
“Especially for me, when I was trying to gain that time, I had to push. I couldn’t just chill.”
And when you’re playing on the edge like that, you’re going to make some mistakes. But that’s racing, that’s life.
—Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
Rosberg’s Take on Hamilton’s Potential Performance in Similar Conditions
Analyzing Norris’ candid admission, Nico Rosberg drew a comparison between the young McLaren driver and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Rosberg suggested that while it’s understandable for a less experienced driver to make multiple mistakes when pushing the limits, Hamilton’s calm under pressure might have prevented such errors in similar circumstances.
Rosberg said,
“That’s fair play. To listen to Lando’s words there, that he was just qualifying lap after qualifying lap on the absolute edge, and then perhaps a couple of mistakes like that happen.”
He added his doubt about Hamilton’s likelihood of making three mistakes in one race, stating,
Pushing like crazy in a race like that, when there’s Hammer-time – I’m not sure. I think they don’t happen then, those three mistakes.
Challenges of Defending the Lead on Spa’s Kemmel Straight
The unique characteristics of Spa-Francorchamps played a vital role in Norris losing the race lead. The Kemmel Straight, the longest straight on the circuit, offers a significant slipstream effect, especially in wet conditions, making it very tough for the pole-sitter to stay ahead at the start. Norris was unable to resist Piastri’s attack despite his best efforts, rejecting suggestions that mechanical issues influenced his early race position.
He explained to Sky Sports F1,
“The slipstream, and we saw it already on Saturday. The slipstream, especially when it’s wet and especially when you’re the first car, you have to push through the first bit of water, which means the following effect in the rain like this is even more than normal.”
Norris acknowledged that his starts were not perfect, with two “snaps” on the exit of Turn 1, but believed that even better execution might not have prevented Piastri’s slipstream advantage.
Like we saw on Saturday, it’s just tough to lead from the beginning. I’m not saying I did the best job, but it just seems like this weekend, it was a headwind down that straight and just pretty much impossible to keep ahead.
—Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
Piastri on the Risks Taken to Secure Overtake and Manage Tires
Oscar Piastri, who extended his lead over Norris in the Drivers’ Championship to 16 points with this result, reflected on the effort required to overtake his teammate and maintain the lead under challenging conditions. He noted that getting past Norris was not a simple maneuver but required calculated risks, particularly through tricky sections like Eau Rouge and at the braking zone into Les Combes.
Piastri said,
“I had to be committed. I got a good run out of Turn 1, then I could stay very close through Eau Rouge. It was not the easiest, there were a few moments, but then I could stay super close out of there.”
About the move itself, he added,
But the leading up to it took some risks.
Tire management also played a crucial role during the closing stages of the race. Piastri was on medium tires while Norris was on harder compounds, which usually favor durability but can be slower over a stint. Piastri admitted to some nervousness regarding his tire condition late in the race but was relieved that they performed better than expected.
So, I had to be a bit careful, but it held on in the end much better than I feared it would. I had to manage a bit, but nothing special.
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren Driver
Upcoming Race and Championship Implications
Following the Belgian GP, Formula 1 shifts its focus to the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break. The Hungarian event will offer teams and drivers another chance to strengthen their championship positions as the title fight intensifies. With Piastri now leading Norris by 16 points, both drivers remain contenders for their maiden championship, and their performances under pressure will be closely watched.
Rosberg’s observations regarding Hamilton’s steadiness and Norris’ struggle under pressure highlight the fine margins at this level of racing and suggest that further growth is needed before Norris can match the consistency of the sport’s most accomplished drivers. How Norris responds in the coming races will be pivotal for his career trajectory and McLaren’s hopes in this highly competitive season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Race car driver Lewis Hamilton openly supports veganism. He is also involved in investing in plant-based businesses.
Q. Why did Lewis Hamilton quit?
A. Hamilton supposedly moved from Mercedes to Ferrari because they proposed a longer contract and a higher salary. Additionally, he had not won any races in 2022 or 2023. He believed joining a new team might help improve his career.
Q. Why is Lewis Hamilton so rich?
A. At the same time, Forbes ranked him among the top-earning athletes in 2025, with total earnings of $80 million. His income has grown after joining Scuderia Ferrari, which is Formula 1’s oldest and most successful team, and through his partnerships with Lululemon and Dior.
Q. Max Verstappen: Who has the bigger net worth in 2025? Lewis Hamilton, with a net worth of $300 million, surpasses Max Verstappen’s $200 million. Hamilton’s wealth is from Formula 1 earnings, endorsements, smart investments, and properties.
A. Is Max Verstappen wealthier than Lewis Hamilton?
