Norris must strike back at Monza as title is now Piastri's to lose

What had been a nine-point margin at Zandvoort is now a mountain to climb for Norris as Round 19, the Italian Grand Prix, looms. Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese believes the fight is far from over, but accepts momentum is firmly with Piastri with nine rounds to go.

Previewing his home race in Italy this weekend for the Adventure Gamers media team, Patrese stressed that Norris cannot afford to lose belief: “Norris was upset, of course. These things happen. It could have happened to Piastri as well. And there are quite a lot of races still for Lando.

"All is not lost. He had bad luck. But you never give up until the last minute of the championship. For sure, he will be disappointed, but Lando is always very good at getting through things.”

The Italian drew on his own career experience: “How many times did I lose a Grand Prix through misfortune? I’ve had two laps to go, one lap to go, five laps to go, and had to leave the win to other people, like Senna, like Prost. Motor racing is like that. And he has to stay concentrated and try to win in Italy.”

Patrese highlighted that qualifying could prove decisive: “There is nothing between the drivers. It’s a few hundredths difference but pole position got Piastri into the lead. I would like to see Lando get pole position and be in front. Then it’s a problem for the other guy to try to catch up.”

According to Patrese, Zandvoort should sharpen Norris rather than break him: “This thing that happened on Sunday must make him stronger. So, it means that he has to push harder. He could make a mistake because he must push harder, but this is the job of a world champion if he is going to be one.”

But the McLaren veteran made clear who holds the upper hand: “Really, the championship is in the hands of Piastri. Unless he makes a mistake or he retires, or his engine fails, Oscar has enough lead just now to control Lando. There is nobody else who can come between the two of them in a race.

"Either Oscar wins a race or Lando. But if Lando keeps coming second, it’s a big problem for him. To catch up 34 points is not easy. But it is not finished yet. The same problem Lando had can happen to Piastri. Engines are vulnerable," Patrese added,

Looking to Monza, Patrese does not see Ferrari troubling McLaren for victory: “McLaren, they have a car that has proved it can operate in any kind of circuit.So probably it will be a fight between the two McLarens. I suppose Ferrari could be competitive. Lewis might get to the podium. But to beat the McLaren will be a problem.”

Patrese concluded that Norris must take the fight to his teammate: “I think for sure Lando has more pressure than Piastri, and he will push more. Lando has to try to be in pole position and then lead the race and win.

That’s what he has to think about now. If he doesn’t win, if Piastri keeps winning, then it’s a big problem. So, we will see a super Lando and then we will see what happens with the rest," concluded Patrese.

Heading to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Round 16 (of 24) of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship this weekend, Piastri leads Norris by 34 points. The Australian has seven wins and scored in every round, while the Briton has five victories but two DNFs to his name.