Lando Norris must listen to the advice Sebastian Vettel just offered on how to win his first F1 title

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McLaren driver Lando Norris will be doing everything in his power not to think about the drivers’ championship over the next two weeks.

The Formula 1 calendar is relentless and will finish with a triple header in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Max Verstappen warned that drivers were going to get ill as a result of the schedule, but Lando Norris will be wishing there wasn’t one last break in the schedule after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

After winning by more than half a minute in Mexico City, Norris topped every session at Interlagos, extending his lead in the drivers’ championship to 24 points.

Martin Brundle has pointed to Oscar Piastri’s potential issues, as he’s had to watch on as his McLaren teammate streaks clear in the standings.

Since 2008, only five drivers have managed to win the Formula 1 world championship: Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg and Verstappen.

Button and Rosberg only managed one title each, highlighting what a difficult task it is to topple an all-time great once they get into the rhythm of winning championships.

At the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Vettel explained how he felt winning each of his four titles, and Norris must listen to what the German said about his mindset heading into the final races of each campaign.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration

Sebastian Vettel shares how he felt before winning four Formula 1 drivers’ championships

Vettel was speaking to Mark Webber and Lee McKenzie during Channel 4’s coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Asked about his experiences winning the championship, he said: “I remember 2009 here, where I lost the championship to Jenson.

“And if you have that belief, which I think all three of them do have, I think Max is a bit more chilled because obviously he has won championships.

“But I think Lando, and Oscar in particular, they do believe. So, 2009, for me, was a big moment when I realised I can’t win it anymore. And then exactly that, do I ever get to that position again? What’s going to happen?

“And then I also remember, obviously, 2010 was very intense. A lot of drivers are going into that final race, 2012, again here, so since we are in Sao Paulo, I remember the moment I came to the track, I was so nervous fighting with Fernando for the title.

“The weather was doing whatever, we had a really chaotic race. So it’s impossible not to think about it, but then what helped me was constantly reminding myself, OK, this is a great position to be in, because it’s a bit like, I wish it was over, and I wish I could just drive without having to think about what might be the best for the championship.

“But then, reminding myself that this is a position I want to be in. Now I’m leading the championship, or I’m still very much in grasp and control. This is a great place to be in, and what I always dreamt of.

“So that gave me some peace, and so that I could calm down before getting in the car again.”

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Mark Webber spots why Lando Norris is now beating Oscar Piastri in the championship

The battle between Norris and Piastri has been fascinating, although fans would have loved to have seen the two title contenders fighting more on the track than they have this year.

Their collisions in Singapore and Austin led to repercussions for both drivers, while Norris immediately took responsibility for hitting Piastri in Canada, ending his race in the process.

Norris has been booed by fans recently, with many believing that his lack of support comes from people believing McLaren are favouring him over Piastri.

He doesn’t appear to have let that faze him, though, and Mark Webber has shared why he thinks Norris is dealing with the pressure better than his teammate.

That pressure is only going to increase in Las Vegas, and Piastri will know that he needs to beat his teammate in qualifying and take control of the situation.

Otherwise, Norris will know that his only task is to finish ahead of the Australian, and as Vettel suggested, relish being the driver in control at this late stage of the season.