Oscar Piastri told Lando Norris is ‘just better’ than him at one thing

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Oscar Piastri has been a standout performer at recent races having accumulated more points than any driver, while also taking his second win under immense pressure from Charles Leclerc in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Australian managed to overtake Leclerc 20 laps into the race in a move that former F1 driver Karun Chandhok said had ‘tremendous confidence’ at Turn 1.

Piastri is the 81st driver in F1 history to win more than one grand prix and he was the seventh different winner at Baku. He also made history along with McLaren in being part of the first team whose drivers won their opening two grand prixs in the same season.

Piastri had out-qualified Lando Norris on Saturday after the latter was caught up in a yellow flag zone, forcing him to abort his lap and start towards the rear of the grid.

Despite Norris leading Piastri on points, several believe that he could end up being his main title challenger next season if McLaren can produce another winning car.

Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde believes there is only one area that Piastri is missing out on compared to Norris, when speaking on the DRS: De Race Show podcast.

Lando Norris a better qualifier than Oscar Piastri

In the last two races, Piastri has outscored Norris by finishing ahead including pulling off an opening-lap pass at Monza.

This led to McLaren enforcing team orders, with them now expecting Piastri to support Norris at certain points should they require it.

Discussing whether he thinks it was the right move from the squad, Van der Garde highlighted one area where he thinks Norris has the upper hand.

“If you look at it all, Norris is just a bit faster on pure lap speed. It’s probably experience and a little more talent alone, but everything else Piastri is just better,” said Van der Garde.

McLaren faces problem with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris next season

McLaren faces winning its first title since the 1998 season with both Piastri and Norris performing consistently on track, although their team dynamic is being closely watched.

Norris is arguably the more experienced driver, but Piastri has shown that he has the ‘racers edge’ according to Damon Hill with his win at Baku.

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

If McLaren produces a championship-winning car next season, Marc Priestley believes it could be an issue for Piastri and Norris to stay as friends next year.

Piastri has been told this year that he must no longer attack his teammate aggressively at starts, but the Australian later admitted that he would not be willing to give up a race win.