Helmut Marko Exposes Lando Norris’ Weakness Against Oscar Piastri

Helmut Marko opened up on the aspects that costed Lando Norris his running against Oscar Piastri in the drivers' standings this year.

Helmut Marko Exposes Lando Norris’ Weakness Against Oscar Piastri

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (via F1), Helmut Marko (via Getty)

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Oscar Piastri has emerged as one of the better drivers in just his third year in Formula 1. Piastri has performed better than Lando Norris at McLaren and is leading the driver’s title standings this year. However, Norris isn’t making the 24-year-old’s life any easier as he is just nine points adrift of the lead. Hence, Red Bull advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, has weighed in on the Briton’s weaknesses against the Aussie, which he must work on.

The intra-team battle at McLaren between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris has continued to heat up since the former took the championship lead early on. Norris’ habit of taking his mistakes too seriously is potentially harming his ambitions to win the title. Moreover, Piastri’s performances with little to no errors have helped him maintain his lead in the standings for now.

Helmut Marko applauded Oscar Piastri and his performances this year, claiming that the latter has better nerves and gets the best out of himself. Marko remarked that Piastri has never been too emotionally charged, unlike Lando Norris, who lets his emotions get the best of him. Still, the 82-year-old reckoned that Norris might be the faster driver per lap, but Piastri was overall better, and ahead in the battle too.

Piastri has the nerve, is more consistent, and always gets the best out of himself. I’ve never seen him [Piastri] so emotionally charged [as compared to Norris]. Norris may be faster per lap, but overall I see Piastri ahead.

Helmut Marko told F1 Insider

Oscar Piastri is in his third year and already fighting for the drivers’ title. As such, Helmut Marko noted that the 24-year-old has had an incredible career so far and is continuing to improve every year. Marko recalled that Piastri had some massive fluctuations in performance on certain tracks in the previous year. However, this wasn’t the case anymore, and the Australian was maximizing results on every race weekend.

Piastri has had an incredible career and is improving year after year. He had some major fluctuations last year, depending on the track. That’s no longer the case.

Helmut Marko added

Helmut Marko asserts Oscar Piastri has ‘long way to go’ to match Max Verstappen

Even though Oscar Piastri is clearly leading the drivers’ title and looking strong for a championship win, people still aren’t regarding him on the same level as Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has joked in the past that if he had the same machinery as that of McLarens, he would ride off into the distance. Verstappen has shown what true dominance is in the 2023 season, as Piastri hasn’t reached the four-time champion’s level yet.

Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri (via XPB images)
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri (via XPB images)

Helmut Marko gave a ‘Verstappen is Verstappen’ statement while comparing Oscar Piastri with the Red Bull ace. Marko insisted that the Aussie had a ‘long way to go’ in terms of matching the 27-year-old and his achievements in Formula 1. Still, the Austrian accepted that Piastri possessed the potential to become a great driver in the pinnacle of motorsport.

But Verstappen is Verstappen. He [Piastri] still has a long way to go. The potential to become a truly great driver is there, though.

Helmut Marko noted

The 2025 season seems to be tipped in McLaren’s favor as they are leading both championships by a good distance. Even though Max Verstappen is giving it his all to contend for the title, he is unable to do so because of Red Bull’s mediocre pace. Now, the intra-team battle at Woking will be the one to watch as Norris attempts to trump his Aussie counterpart.

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