In the Formula 1 duel of the McLaren rivals, the wind turned in the last races: Oscar Piatri blows Lando Norris a lot of dirty air around the ears. According to Ralf Schumacher, Norris is quite in the ropes despite the World Cup tour.
“He is totally unsettled,” said Ralf Schumacher in the “Sky” podcast “Backstage Boxgassen” with a view of the weak weekend of Lando Norris at the Grand Prix of Bahrain. While Norris only finished third, McLaren neighbor Oscar Piatri triumphed.
As evidence of his thesis, Schumacher led the Bock of the British before the start. Norris had maneuvered his McLaren too far forward in the start box, conceding a five-second penalty for the faux pas.
“Something like that shouldn’t happen,” emphasized the “Sky” expert, finally the Briton fought for the World Championship in 2025. Norris get the critical comments on his performance, said Schumacher. “And then he is a little desperate. This psychological warfare is in full go. And of course that doesn’t help him,” said the six-time GP winner.
Norris’ psyche was not the hardest, noticed Schumacher and recommended a short full break from Formula 1 before the Saudi GP this weekend.
Norris has to areolate itself towards all the criticism. “The best thing to do is Zak Brown (McLaren CEO, D.Red.) On vacation with him for a few days and reset him again.”
“Max Verstappen would definitely have driven by”
The 25-year-old was a bit softer in terms of character, “Schumacher tried as a F1 pyschologist. “I think that also makes him and personable. But of course it doesn’t interest a sow on the racetrack, but he has to perform.”
And that doesn’t have Norris in Bahrain. As another example, Schumacher cited Norris’s unsuccessful attack on Mercedes-Pilot George Russell.
“In my opinion, he was wasted when Russell was pulled in in curve 1 shortly before the end. Then he should have broken out earlier, then stab it and take the swing with and to the second just after curve 3,” the 49-year-old analyzed.
After that, the McLaren man could have “loosely overtaking the silver arrow,” said Schumacher and put his finger in the wound. “Max Verstappen would definitely have passed George Russell. There are no doubt.”
If there is currently a duel with McLaren-Rival Oscar Piatri on the route, Schumacher Norris does not give in any good chances. “The necessary hardness to do this has Oscar Piatri. So Lando would always slow down again and again,” said the former F1 driver.