Norris' 'mental fragility' criticized by former F1 drivers.

      "I believe Piastri possesses greater mental strength."

      Max Verstappen may be diminishing as a championship contender, but Lando Norris is increasingly under pressure. Already facing a reputation for being fast yet lacking in mental resilience, championship leader Norris saw his composed teammate Oscar Piastri close the gap to just three points behind him in Bahrain. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged to Sky Deutschland that it was a "sloppy" weekend for the British driver.

      "Oscar delivered an outstanding performance, and Lando also had moments where he was a bit sloppy; otherwise, it could have been a one-two finish," the Italian explained. Norris was notably harsh on himself, stating, "Honestly, I’m surprised I’m achieving any results at the moment, given how I feel driving the car," as quoted by Viaplay. "It’s just not working, it’s not clicking, and I don’t have the solutions."

      However, it's not only that Piastri is managing the dominant 2025 McLaren more effectively; Norris is also committing several mistakes, such as misplacing his position on the grid in addition to various errors during the race. In the 'cool down' room after the Bahrain GP, he referred to himself as a "muppet." Some interpret this kind of self-talk and behavior as a sign of mental frailty.

      "I genuinely think Piastri is more mentally resilient, even if Norris has greater speed over a single lap," remarked Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko recently. When informed days later that his remarks sparked controversy, the Austrian replied, "But we are aware of that – it’s nothing new."

      Former F1 driver Christijan Albers believes Norris distinguishes himself as a driver who is excessively candid about his issues with the media. "You still need to present yourself confidently during interviews," he told Viaplay. "His demeanor illustrates that he isn’t as mentally robust as others. That stands out to me."

      Another ex-F1 driver, Giedo van der Garde, concurs: "It's acceptable to say, 'I made a mistake and wasn't completely focused today.' But you can see at times that he lacks self-confidence."

      Additionally, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher feels that those around Norris must swiftly intervene to support his mental well-being before the upcoming race in just a few days. "This cannot happen to someone destined to be a future world champion," he said, referencing Norris’ difficult Bahrain GP weekend.

      "If I were his manager or team principal, I’d take away his phone, put him in a hotel, and encourage him to exercise. He shouldn't pay attention to any of us or read the articles being published. It’s detrimental for him," Schumacher added. "Everyone is focused on his shortcomings. He should arrive at the next race with a completely fresh mind. That would benefit him, and that’s what I would recommend."