Lewis Hamilton says Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris need to be “cut-throat” in their respective bids to become Formula One world champions for the first time if either is to beat resurgent Max Verstappen to the title this year.
The battle for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling finish, with Red Bull’s reigning champion joining season-long protagonists McLaren in what now looks set to be a bona fide three-way battle with five races to go, starting in Mexico this weekend.
McLaren teammates Piastri and Norris are separated by just 14 points, while Verstappen is now just 40 points off the lead after winning three of the last four races.
Ferrari’s Hamilton, whose seven titles are the most in history alongside Michael Schumacher, was asked what advice he would give Piastri and Norris in their respective bids to win their maiden titles amid the mounting challenge posed by four-time winner Verstappen, who he has a tough title battle against in 2021.
Hamilton said: “I mean obviously they’ve won other championships in other categories. I’m not someone who really wants to give them advice, but in that scenario it’s challenging when you’re in the team. The pressure is on.
“It is definitely a time when you really have to turn on the blinkers, you have to block absolutely everything from the outside, all this, because there is so much coming in, positive and negative.
“You’ve got to be really boring too. That’s what Max is, he’ll take this away from them if they don’t do the same.
“They’ve got to push and you’ve got to dig deep to, firstly, keep someone like Max and in the car he’s in at the moment at bay.
“But also, for either of them to get ahead, you know consistency is key and you’ve seen that from Max in the last couple of races.”
Hamilton believes it is good for the sport that the championship fight has also been extended to a driver from another team.
“I think it’s great,” Hamilton said.
“Having a team [McLaren] it was just out front, obviously they won the constructors and then they had the championship match within the two [drivers] is still exciting
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lando Norris was amused by the ‘tapegate’ situation after a Red Bull team member tried to remove tape at his grid box at the US GP
“But adding another team and another driver into the mix really makes it even more exciting and that’s really what this sport should be.
“It was great for me to have games with Max, another team, and the game progression throughout the year and the consistency. I think that’s what people tune in to see.”
“Being a hunter is much easier than being a defender”
Both Norris and Verstappen have overtaken points leader Piastri in each of the past four race weekends to increase the pressure on the Australian, who has led the standings ever since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April.
As the one being chased, Hamilton believes Piastri is in the more difficult position.
“It’s great to see we’ve got this massive fight going now and I’m like you, I don’t know what to expect,” the 40-year-old added.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Max Verstappen rejects claims he is driving better than ever after an impressive win at the US Grand Prix
“You’ve got three incredibly talented drivers. I can’t predict how they’re all going to do, but of course Max has won it four times so he knows what it’s like and being a hunter is a lot easier than being a defender.
“When you’re in the lead and someone cuts away at your lead, it plays on you more than if you’re chasing. If you’re chasing, you’ve got nothing to lose, as opposed to when you’re in the lead, you’ve got everything to lose.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how they handle it. We’re all going to witness that, and whatever the case is, it’s going to be exciting.”
Sky Sports F1’s Mexico City GP schedule
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments that have taken place at the Mexico City Grand Prix
Friday, October 24
19:00: Mexico City GP Practice One (session starts at 19:30)
21.00: The F1 show
22:00: Team managers’ press conference
10.45pm: Mexico City GP Practice Two (session starts at 11pm)*
Saturday 25 October
18.15: Mexico City GP Practice 3 (session starts at 18.30)
21:00: Mexico City GP Qualifying Build-up*
22:00: MEXICO CITY GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday, October 26
18.30: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up*
20:00: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
22:00: Checkered flag: Mexico City GP reaction
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1’s thrilling title race continues at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime