An interesting Norris/Piastri dynamic ahead of second part of the season

Piastri leads Norris by just nine points after the Hungarian Grand Prix as Formula 1 is now in its summer break, as the pair are expected to continue their battle from the Dutch Grand Prix, each trying to secure his maiden F1 Title as Max Verstappen is now out of contention.

Piastri has had the upper hand over Norris before the latter responded with a strong run, winning in Austria, Britain, and Hungary, while the former's most recent win was in Belgium.

That means Norris has the momentum on his side heading into the summer break, and what makes matters worse for Piastri is the fact that he lost out to his teammate in Hungary after being the faster driver all weekend.

But Norris made a one-stop strategy work and took the chequered flag ahead of his teammate at the Hungaroring despite starting behind him on the grid.

Herbert reflected on the McLaren teammates' battle in Hungary saying: "He [Piastri] had the advantage. So that's where he'll be frustrated with himself and think about what he could or should have done differently.

"But it was the performance of Lando that made all the difference at the end of the day," he added. "Oscar is also very fixed on driving as fast as he can and as consistent as he can to win that world championship.

"But I wonder whether he was thinking that he was in a stronger position against Lando and starting to get under his skin.

"I think he may have believed that. This is where Lando actually has picked him out and flipped him away. And he's a thorn in his side now.

"And I think that's just the game where the whole dynamic has changed, from the beginning of the year to halfway through the season, where there is a stronger mentality from the other side of the garage.

"I don't think Oscar was expecting that to happen. He just expected himself to keep on growing, keep on outperforming him and ultimately mentally destroying him.

"And that hasn't happened. He's actually fed the positivity that Lando is showing. Lando's realized that he's had to up his game because of how good Oscar has been in the first part of season.

"It's quite an interesting dynamic now for the second part of the season," Herbert pointed out. It's that selfishness that has to come into play. McLaren have let them race and that's all we want to see.

"Yes, they got close, but that's racing, that's what racing is all about. They got the one two anyway, so for the Constructors' title, they got exactly what they needed."

With the title battle starting from scratch after the summer break, Herbert insists the Hungarian Grand Prix was a pivotal point in the season.

He said: "I think the Hungarian Grand Prix was a defining moment. I think it was a very powerful win for him because of the way that he went about making it happen.

"The pressure that he was under at the latter part of the race was huge, and he absorbed all that pressure and was able to win that race.

"Like I said, it's how these champions are made, by digging deep and coming up with these exceptional races. And I think that definitely was one of those," Herbert maintained in conclusion.

(Quotes from Thunderpick)