P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were treated as equals for almost the entirety of the 2024 F1 season, but a former F1 driver does not believe that can continue this year for either driver to become world champion.
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert cautioned Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri about the necessity to emulate Michael Schumacher’s dominance to secure a world drivers’ championship. McLaren’s decision to prioritize Norris over Piastri came late in the 2024 season, hindering their chances against Max Verstappen. Herbert advised both drivers to learn from Schumacher’s and Verstappen’s approaches to assert themselves as lead drivers. He suggested McLaren should allow Norris and Piastri to naturally compete for the lead role initially and avoid premature favoritism. Herbert emphasized the importance of mental strength for top drivers in the quest for the world championship.
