LAS VEGAS GP: Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill has delivered high praise for McLaren’s Lando Norris, asserting the British driver is ‘world champion material’ after a decisive mid-season shift in momentum against teammate Oscar Piastri.
Lando Norris has been credited by 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill for a powerful reversal of fortune that has propelled him into a strong lead in the championship race against Oscar Piastri.
With the crucial Las Vegas Grand Prix looming this weekend, Norris holds a 24-point advantage over his rookie teammate. Crucially, the British star is now firmly on track to seal his maiden F1 title in Qatar with three rounds remaining.
Norris’s title recovery began following a disappointing DNF at Zandvoort, a moment that spurred him to overturn a significant 34-point deficit held by Piastri. The statistics underline his dominance: Norris has not been beaten by his teammate since the Belgian Grand Prix back in July.
“He’s found something, hasn’t he? And it’s been perfect timing,” Hill told The Mirror, highlighting the psychological battle now at play. “It’s come at a time when Oscar suddenly looks a bit forlorn, a bit under pressure. They’re both learning about fighting for a world championship… It’s not the same as just driving.”
🏆 Norris: A Champion in the Making
Hill believes Norris’s current drive proves he possesses the necessary mental fortitude required at the highest level, suggesting his recent surge is a testament to the growth of a champion.
“It becomes a discipline, really, a mental and psychological discipline which is quite demanding,” Hill added. “That’s what the goal is: To find out who’s got the right stuff and who hasn’t.”
Norris, who is aiming to become McLaren’s first F1 World Champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008, has demonstrated his high pedigree before. His 2021 campaign saw him outscore both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, and in 2022, he was the only driver outside the top three teams to secure a podium finish, comprehensively outperforming then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Despite a rocky start to the current season, Hill is adamant that Norris deserves recognition for coming back “with a vengeance.”
“Lando is world champion material; he’s already shown that this year. Yes, there was a time when he went missing, but he’s definitely back with a vengeance now, so it’s looking good for him.”
