Alan Jones: Oscar Piastri mentally stronger than Lando Norris in title fight

McLaren looks set for an internal showdown over the 2025 drivers’ championship, with Oscar Piastri holding a narrow nine-point lead over teammate Lando Norris as Formula 1 resumes after the summer break.

With Max Verstappen effectively out of contention and McLaren already dominant in the constructors’ standings, all focus has shifted to the battle between the two papaya-coloured cars.

The team has pledged to maintain its so-called ‘papaya rules’ of equal treatment, though German pundit Christian Danner suggested on Ran that priorities could still shift.

“I think the team has a very clear position. The main thing is that a McLaren driver becomes champion. Who exactly it is in the end does not matter much,” said Danner.

“Winning the Constructors’ Championship is almost guaranteed, and so far no one is exerting serious pressure from the outside. At the moment, Red Bull and Max Verstappen are too weak for this.

“McLaren will only intervene if higher-level goals are at stake. If Verstappen for some reason returns to winning, then the course of approach may change.”

Former world champion Alan Jones, who has already publicly backed fellow Australian Piastri this year, has repeated his view in comments to German broadcasters RTL and ntv.

“He has all the qualities you need, in my opinion, to be super successful in Formula 1,” the 1980 title winner said. “Every now and then, someone comes along who is successful no matter what they do. And he’s one of those people.

“He was successful in Formula 3, he was successful in Formula 2, and now he’s leading the World Championship.” Jones believes Piastri’s mindset gives him a key advantage.

“There are some drivers out there who enjoy their time outside the cockpit more than their time in it. With him, you know he’s committed, he has a goal. And he’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it. He’ll do whatever it takes to win a race.

"That’s what you have to do.” When it comes to Norris, Jones again pointed to mental fragility. “In terms of mentality, he (Piastri) has an advantage over Lando. I think Lando is a bit weak mentally. Anyone who comes out and admits they have a slight mental problem has already lost before the start.

"You have to stay very focused, not tell anyone anything, and not reveal any secrets.”

The Australian legend also suggested Piastri may be handling the internal politics more shrewdly.

“Perhaps he is smarter in the sense that he stays on his side of the garage," he added. "He is not involved in politics, he is a man of few words. Perhaps he is acting more psychologically astute."