Piastri setbacks highlight necessary Norris learning curve

Momentum has swung to Norris and outside contender Max Verstappen in recent weeks and for Piastri it's a reminder that Formula One world championships are not won easily.

In his first ever title challenge, the famously un-phased Piastri faces an essential learning curve and must now dig deep to regain control and keep his title charge alive.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year Norris was a raw title challenger under the burning spotlight of scrutiny as he launched a late title charge against Verstappen.

It was the first time Norris had been a serious contender for a world championship and at times he appeared naive against wily Verstappen’s dark arts.

Think back to the United States GP last year when Verstappen applied the rulebook to perfection as he manipulated the ruling on track limits to defend against a much faster Norris behind.

Some believed Verstappen’s hard racing was not in the true spirit of the sport, but Norris simply appeared out of ideas as he struggled to find a way past.

Two races later, a costly mistake by Norris during the Brazilian GP effectively ended his title hopes for good as Verstappen went from P17 to seal one of the sport’s greatest victories.

As Verstappen became a four-time world champion in a car that was often much slower, Norris’ inexperience as a championship contender appeared to show.

But fast-forward to 2025 and Norris now looks like a driver who thrives under the pressure of a title fight having bounced back from a costly mechanical failure at the Dutch GP.

In Singapore Norris’ controversial but brave and daring lap one move on Piastri felt like a statement of intent while a stunning Mexico GP win by 30 seconds underlined his status as the championship contender to beat.

Piastri meanwhile finished a lowly P5 and appeared out of answers and he has now not beaten either Norris or Verstappen in any of the last five races.

After setbacks and scrutiny it feels like Norris is a battle-hardened version of his 2024 self.

Piastri now faces the same challenge in 2025 as the scrutiny of being in a world championship fight now bears down on him for the first time.

So far Piastri has shown he’s a quicker learner. He is only in his third season in F1 and for much of this year has appeared an assured and confident championship leader.

But as momentum has shifted to his rivals and scrutiny bears down, Piastri now needs to learn fast and respond in Brazil to keep his title challenge alive.

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