Lando Norris reveals how he wants to be ‘more like’ Oscar Piastri ahead of 2025 F1 title showdown

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Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will start this Sunday’s 2025 season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the chance to gift McLaren the team’s first F1 drivers’ title since 2008.

The Woking squad last secured the F1 drivers’ championship with Lewis Hamilton during the Briton’s second season in the field. McLaren have since endured a 17-year drought in search of their 13th title so far, with only the occasional sniff at another title before the 2025 season.

Norris and Piastri can both end McLaren’s wait for another champion this term, though. The former will start the Abu Dhabi GP with a 12-point lead over Red Bull racer Max Verstappen. Piastri will need the most to go in his favour, with the Australian trailing Norris by 16 points.

Lando Norris admires Oscar Piastri’s ability to ‘always’ stay calm in any situation

Mario Andretti believes Norris is “definitely” the 2025 F1 title favourite, given he only has to finish on the podium this Sunday to secure the championship regardless of what Verstappen and Piastri achieve. Piastri cannot win the title if Norris finishes inside the top five positions.

READ MORE: All you need to know about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including past winners

Who do you think will clinch the 2025 title this weekend?

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Piastri has enjoyed a superb season in only his third term in the field, regardless of whether the title falls at his feet in the Abu Dhabi GP. The Melbourne native has sealed seven Grand Prix wins, six pole positions and 15 podiums across the first 23 of the 24 rounds this season.

But the quality that Piastri has that Norris admires the most is his papaya pal’s ability to stay calm, regardless of whatever situation he faces. Norris wishes that he were more like Piastri in that regard, and is glad they also enjoy a good relationship as teammates and title rivals.

Norris said during the pre-event Thursday press conference: “What I like about him? Just his general attitude of how he approaches everything. He’s always pretty calm, pretty relaxed in every situation [and] stays cool. That is something I admire.

“I think that’s something that, at times, I wish I were more like. But everyone does their own thing. You always try to find what works best for you. But there are still things from every driver, even when I was growing up, that you admire from him, and don’t like about him.

“But I think the most important thing is just how you get on personally. I’ve always got on well with my teammates. It’s easy not to, it takes one decision to make everything not be the way it is. I think that’s something that we’ve done well.”

Oscar Piastri respects Lando Norris’ ability to leave what happens on the track, on the track

Norris has also scored seven Grand Prix wins over the first 23 rounds of the 2025 F1 season, along with taking seven poles and 17 podiums. Red Bull rival Verstappen, likewise, will start the Abu Dhabi GP with seven Grand Prix wins this season, plus seven poles and 14 podiums.

But the aspect about Norris that Piastri respects the most is his teammate’s ability to leave whatever happens during a race on the track, and not let events on the circuit impact their relationship. Although the Australian was somewhat cautious to say he admires Norris for it.

READ MORE: F1 experts predict the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP and if Lando Norris will win the title

Piastri replied: “I think it’s nice that we are able to leave what happens on track, on the track and be friendly off the track. I think, like Lando said, it’s very easy for it not to be that way. That definitely takes cooperation from both parties.

“So, that’s probably what I, I mean, admire seems a bit strong as teammates. But I think that is a very good strength of Lando.”

Should either of the three title contenders win the Abu Dhabi GP, that would also give them the first potential tie-breaker for the 2025 championship on countback of wins in any tie on points. Norris would take the second tie-breaker, as he has the most second places (eight).