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Damon Hill spots concerning difference between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after Spa radio messages

Originally posted on HITC | By Ben Evans | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 12:41 PM ET

The Formula 1 drivers’ championship could come down to the wire between McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

The Belgian Grand Prix looked set to be a key battleground for the McLaren pair, with just eight points separating them at the halfway stage of the 2025 F1 season.

Piastri had taken issue with how Norris won at Silverstone, but he responded well at Spa. He was fastest in Sprint qualifying, though Verstappen got ahead of him right away in that race.

Norris took his 13th career pole, but a rolling start made things harder for him. Piastri seized the lead early with a bold move down the Kemmel Straight and kept control from there.

Concerns raised by Damon Hill over Lando Norris’ radio exchanges compared to Oscar Piastri

Hill spoke on the Chequered Flag Podcast about the mistakes Norris was making as he chased Piastri, saying: “It’s more than that, though, isn’t it, because he had a radio message from his engineer, Will Joseph sort of encouraging him to calm down a bit and to keep focused.

“Now, you wouldn’t do that if you thought the guy could cope with it on his own. You would not be making a comment.

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“I mean, do they need to make these comments to Lando? Was he pushing too hard? Is he unable to judge it in that way? And that remains a question.

“I just think there isn’t quite so much nursemaiding needed for Oscar. It’s just simply a discussion on a level between equals. The engineer is asking the driver, and the driver’s giving it back. It’s succinct, it’s direct, it’s pretty clear. And Oscar’s tone on the radio is almost as if he’s just waking up and fancies a cup of tea sometimes.”

Damon Hill likens Oscar Piastri to Alain Prost after Belgian Grand Prix

Piastri’s control in the closing stages was clear, pulling away just as Norris looked set to challenge.

He managed his tyres well and, as Hill pointed out, never seemed fazed over the radio.

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Nico Rosberg has also noted that Norris sometimes needs more direction during races. It’s not necessarily a flaw, but it does highlight a difference in how he operates compared to his teammate.

Hill went on to compare Piastri to Alain Prost after the race – a comparison the Australian will no doubt appreciate.

How they handle that pressure could shape not only this title race but also their futures in Formula 1.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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