P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have both buckled under the pressure of fighting for a maiden F1 drivers’ title, which is only going to intensify in the second half of the season.
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Lando Norris has shed some mental “baggage” amid heightened pressure in the McLaren drivers’ title showdown.
The prospect of an all-McLaren championship battle is becoming more likely, with just eight points separating Oscar Piastri and Norris.
Both drivers have succumbed to errors recently, a consequence of the mounting pressure associated with contending for their first F1 crown.
Despite several mishaps this season, Norris notably collided with Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix, only to rally back impressively.
Following the collision, Norris secured consecutive victories, while Piastri’s potential win at Silverstone slipped away due to ‘erratic braking’ behind the safety car.
Piastri, who incurred a 10-second time penalty, ceded the victory to Norris, visibly displaying anger and frustration for the first time this season, a situation Herbert sees as integral to the title fight experience.
