Lando Norris’ ‘driving style’ will give him 2026 edge over Oscar Piastri, claims Ralf Schumacher

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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are readying for another season of Formula 1 as each other’s biggest rivals on the grid, and Ralf Schumacher has already outlined who he thinks will end up on top.

For the majority of the 2025 F1 season, the star-studded McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were neck-and-neck.

After trading blows at every race weekend, it was Norris who ended the season on top, claiming the first world title of his F1 career.

However, a new technical ruleset presents a new opportunity for the Australian. Martin Brundle thinks Piastri will return to action ‘with a vengeance’ this year, but not everybody agrees.

The new regulations promise to shake up the pecking order of the grid, and the early forecasts hold McLaren at the bottom of the top-four we have become accustomed to seeing in recent years.

The teammate battle between Norris and Piastri will still be present, though, and not everyone is convinced that the 24-year-old will be able to get the better of his senior teammate in the upcoming term.

• READ MORE: Oscar Piastri explains ‘streamlined’ McLaren papaya rules after Australian parliament discussion

The first pecking order predictions are IN!

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Ralf Schumacher explains why Lando Norris will have the edge over Oscar Piastri this season

During a recent episode of the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, six-time F1 Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher was asked to explain why he thinks Norris will adapt to the new set of regulations quicker than his McLaren counterpart will.

The former F1 driver pointed towards the Briton’s racecraft as the main reason why, replying, “It’s in the driving style. Lando Norris takes the corners more sharply, brakes a little harder, and I think that will be the pace for now.

“Rolling into the corner and trying to accelerate out quickly with the reduced aerodynamics you have. I think the driving style will be a bit more V-shaped, if you can imagine that.

“You no longer drive into the corner in a semicircle, but really cut in sharply and cut out sharply again, so you brake as late as possible and then accelerate straight out again, and I think that’s more Lando Norris’ driving style, but I could be wrong.

“We’ll see what happens. It’s quite interesting with these two, because last year I was lucky enough to pick up a few things. And they just have very different driving styles.”

The Australian displayed a certain vulnerability at specific circuits during the 2025 campaign, with low-grip race tracks like Mexico City and Austin highlighting areas that Piastri must improve on to make a more competitive claim for a title.

Given his failure to adapt to them during his first three years as an F1 driver, Piastri has been tipped to struggle with his adaptation to the new way in which the 2026 challengers will be driven.

• READ MORE: F1 fans think Ferrari are the 2026 favourites after hearing Oscar Piastri’s latest comments

Despite favouring Lando Norris, Ralf Schumacher still thinks Oscar Piastri is one of the best F1 drivers on the grid

It’s no secret that the Woking-based outfit has one of the most well-rounded driver line-ups on the grid.

Take last season, for example. The last time we had an intra-team title fight came during the infamous 2016 season, in which the championship battle was contested between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Despite opting for Norris in his predictions for 2026, Schumacher is well aware that Piastri is still one of the best talents on the grid.

In a discussion over Piastri’s entourage changes, the German added, “One must not forget that McLaren is also giving Oscar Piastri a huge opportunity.

“They brought him in, put him in the car, a young man, taking a big risk, and today he is one of the best Formula 1 drivers we have. And that is not without reason; a lot has been invested.”