Fisichella: 2025 F1 title race is close but I’d like to see Norris win

After Round 17 in Baku, Piastri leads the standings on 324 points with seven wins and one no score. Norris sits 25 points behind on 299, with five wins and two no scores, as the season heads into its final stretch with six races and three sprints to go. McLaren are likely to seal the Constructors' title within a couple of races.

Fisichella said, “It’s so close. The first part of the championship, until the last race, was tight. Lando Norris was a bit up and down. Piastri was more consistent with the race pace in qualifying, and his race management was top-notch.

“Baku was probably the first time I saw Piastri under pressure. Made mistakes in the qualifying session, in free practice and especially in the race, starting from the jumpstart and then in the first lap he hit the wall. It’s difficult. Piastri at the moment, has more points.

"Both of them are good drivers, so it’s difficult to call. I would say Norris because he’s more experienced than Piastri. It’s important for him to grab that chance this year. For Piastri, I’m sure he can win multiple titles in the future. I would say Norris," declared Fisichella.

Ominously for McLaren and the rest, Red Bull and Verstappen have found a window of good form after it went awol. Max won at Monza and in Baku, in a manner reminiscent of his year of total dominance in 2023

While the McLaren drivers dominate the standings, Fisichella pointed to Verstappen’s return to form as another factor that could reshape the title battle: “Considering the last couple of races, Verstappen was dominating in racing and qualifying sessions. No one expected that big jump from Red Bull.

“Tsunoda scored a good result too. Red Bull are going the right way and has found a good package in terms of car balance and setup, which is very fixed for Max’s driving style. It will be an interesting end to the season.”

Grand Prix winner and motorsport veteran, Fisichella also highlighted the strong performances from standout rookies: “Verstappen always gives you the maximum performance from his car but there are some rookies like Hadjar and Antonelli."

The Italian 52-year-old continued: "At the start of the season Antonelli was doing well, then he had a few problems, but in the last race he did very well. I am Italian and I root for Antonelli. He is a good guy and he’s quick. He’s just 18. He’s got all the skills to be a world champion.

"Hadjar is doing very well. He has a competitive car and has a very consistent team. His teammate Liam Lawson also did very well in Baku. Bortoleto really impressed me in F2 and F3. I was a little surprised to see him struggle at the beginning of the season. But now after a few races, he’s quicker than Nico Hülkenberg. He’s one of my favourite drivers on the grid.”

Another standout from Baku was Carlos Sainz, who delivered Williams’ first Grand Prix podium since 2017. Fisichella thinks the Spaniard can build on that breakthrough: “Carlos is a great driver. He’s doing a great job. He’s getting better race after race.

“The Williams car was competitive in Baku. Starting from the first three or four positions is 50% of the race. It’s better for the tyres and more consistent for the drivers. It’s why he scored a good result. I don’t think it will be easy for him to score more podiums but he can be in the top ten for the next couple of races," ventured Fisichella.

With Round 18 at Singapore next, the championship fight remains finely poised. Piastri’s consistency, Norris’s determination, Verstappen’s resurgence, and the rise of rookies like Antonelli, Hadjar and Bortoleto all promise a dramatic closing phase to the 2025 season.

Fisi's career in Formula 1 spanned from 1996 to 2009, marked by flashes of brilliance and missed opportunities. After debuting with Minardi, he impressed at Jordan in 1997, outpacing Ralf Schumacher and scoring podiums at Montréal and Spa.

A move to Benetton in 1998 brought strong results, including a pole in Austria, but inconsistency and reliability issues plagued his progress. Returning to Jordan in 2003, he finally claimed his maiden win in chaotic, rain-hit Brazil, later confirmed by the FIA after an initial error.

Sauber in 2004 revived his form and earned him a Renault seat, where he won in Australia 2005 and Malaysia 2006, but he was overshadowed by Fernando Alonso’s title runs.

Later years saw him slip down the grid with Renault and Force India, though a shock pole and second place at Spa in 2009 reminded the paddock of his speed. Ferrari then handed him a late-career drive, but the car was uncompetitive.