Lewis Hamilton has sent McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris a stark warning that as the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship reaches its climax: to stand a chance against Max Verstappen, they must be merciless on and off track. With five races to go, the championship fight has become a nerve-wracking three-way contention, Verstappen narrowing the gap after a string of wins.
Lewis Hamilton on the F1 Title Fight
Hamilton, now competing for Ferrari, leveraged his own experience of high-stakes title battles, such as his grueling duel with Verstappen in the 2021 season. He emphasized the psychological resilience and competitive spirit needed to keep at bay a driver of Verstappen’s quality.
“The pressure is extreme,” Hamilton observed. “You truly need to put your blinkers on, shut everything out on the outside, and just keep your eyes focused because there’s so much that’s coming in, positive and negative. And you truly need to be ruthless. That’s what Max is—he’s going to steal this away from them if they don’t do the same.”
Hamilton’s Advice to Oscar Piastri
Piastri is currently the championship leader but has been pushed by his team-mate Norris and Verstappen, who has shot to the top with three victories from four races. Hamilton emphasized that being in the front creates a psychological weight, citing that “being the hunter is easier than being the defender.”
“Consistency is the key for Piastri,” Hamilton said. “You saw that from Max in recent races. Dig deep to keep someone like him at bay in the car he has, and you have to be smart in your head to stay ahead. That’s the challenge of being at the top with the others trying to catch up.”
Hamilton’s Take on Lando Norris
Although Norris lags behind Piastri by only 14 points, Hamilton urged the young Brit to adopt a bold and aggressive strategy. “If they wish to come out on top, both drivers must push all lap, every corner, and every chance,” he said. “Lando has the ability, he just needs to unlock it completely in these last couple of races.”
Hamilton celebrated the thrill that three-way title contention adds to F1. “Having a team like McLaren in the contention with two great drivers, and then throwing Max into the mix, makes the sport even more competitive. This is what Formula 1 is all about—fast, unpredictable, and mentally challenging.”
Verstappen the Benchmark
Hamilton highlighted that the experience and recent form of Verstappen present him as a strong contender. Having won four Drivers’ Championships already, Verstappen is well-versed at building momentum and milking opportunities.
“It’ll be interesting to see how Piastri and Norris respond to the pressure,” Hamilton added. “Three exceptionally talented drivers, with Max knowing exactly what it takes—this will be fun for the fans and a true test for the McLaren pairing.”
