As Formula 1 enters its final three races of the season, the battle for the drivers’ championship has taken on a script worthy of Hollywood. McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are locked in a tense, high-pressure duel, separated by just 24 points with a maximum of 83 points still up for grabs.

F1 legend Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion and now a BBC 5 Live pundit, knows exactly what it takes to perform under title-deciding pressure. Reflecting on the fierce Norris–Piastri rivalry, Hill offered a detailed breakdown of the pair’s strengths and weaknesses across every major performance category.

“When you’re fighting for a championship, the mental strain is huge. Thinking too far ahead can destroy your focus—you need to live in the moment.” — Damon Hill

Below, Hill evaluates each driver across key performance metrics from the 2024 season.

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Norris vs Piastri: Category-by-Category Breakdown

1. Qualifying Performance

Hill says both drivers are extremely close over a single lap, often separated by only hundredths of a second.

He notes that Norris struggled early in the season due to car setup preferences, while Piastri showed more consistency. However, as the season progressed, Norris found more confidence, especially when Verstappen’s presence on the front rows added pressure.

Norris: 8/10
Piastri: 8/10

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2. Race Starts

Early in the year, Piastri had the edge. Norris, meanwhile, lost points due to slow getaways and cautious opening laps.

But as the season unfolded, Norris improved significantly, while Piastri experienced more anxious starts — including costly errors after Baku, which Hill believes became a mental “shock to the system.”

Norris: 7/10
Piastri: 8/10

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3. Overtaking Ability

Hill says Piastri appears more confident and instinctive when racing wheel-to-wheel. Norris can be more hesitant, although he pulled off a high-risk move in Singapore that paid off.

In Brazil, Piastri was penalized for touching Antonelli, but Hill praised the young Australian’s willingness to attack.

Norris: 7/10
Piastri: 8/10

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4. Performance in Wet Conditions

Both drivers have shown flashes of brilliance but haven’t delivered a defining wet-weather masterclass comparable to greats like Senna or Hamilton.

Norris impressed in Brazil; Piastri made mistakes. Still, Hill sees them as equal overall.

Norris: 8/10
Piastri: 8/10

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5. Tyre Management

Hill believes this category is where Norris clearly excels.

According to McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, Norris has an innate feel for tyres as they fall out of their optimal window — a nuanced skill that can’t easily be taught. Piastri, still developing this sensitivity, lags slightly behind.

Norris: 9/10
Piastri: 8/10

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6. Technical Understanding

From what Hill has heard from McLaren engineers, Piastri has a sharper technical instinct and a stronger desire to understand why the car behaves the way it does.

Norris, by comparison, seems content to let the engineers lead while focusing more on driving feel.

Norris: 8/10
Piastri: 9/10

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7. Mental Resilience

This category, Hill says, may be the most crucial in a title fight.

Early in the season, Piastri looked mentally stronger. But after Norris overtook him in the championship standings, Piastri has appeared more rattled — particularly in the last several races.

“Oscar is younger, less experienced, and he’s now dealing with a true championship pressure cooker,” Hill explains.

Norris, meanwhile, seems calmer and more capable of absorbing setbacks.

Norris: 9/10
Piastri: 7/10

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⭐ Overall Takeaway

Hill’s analysis suggests a razor-close title battle where each driver excels in different areas:

• Norris dominates tyre management and late-season mental toughness.
• Piastri shines in overtaking, technical depth, and early-race aggression.

With three races left, the psychological battle may be just as decisive as raw pace.

As Hill puts it:

“They’re both going through mental turmoil. That’s what a world championship fight does.”

The stage is set for an electrifying finish to the Formula 1 season — and perhaps the most compelling intra-team rivalry McLaren has witnessed in decades.