P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Just eight points separate Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, in what is a title fight which looks set to go down to the wire.
Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has stated that there is a very close competition between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, with neither having a clear momentum advantage over the other.
Current leader Piastri holds a minimal eight-point lead over Norris in the drivers’ championship standings, with third-placed Max Verstappen trailing by 69 points as the season approaches its second half.
Given the significant points gap, McLaren is expected to have an internal battle for the championship this year, with no other team consistently challenging their dominance in the constructors’ championship.
With both Piastri and Norris having equal opportunity to fight for their first drivers’ title, they have each secured 10 podium finishes this season, though Piastri holds one more victory at five.
Despite the tight competition between the two drivers throughout the season, Palmer noted that the title race might have had a different outlook if Piastri had won in Austria and Silverstone.
When asked about the momentum heading into the latter part of the season, Palmer described the rivalry as evenly poised at 50/50, highlighting the recent races where both drivers showcased their competitive spirit and skill on the track.
