Schumacher states that Norris does not possess the capability to secure the 2025 title.

      Lando Norris will not be able to win the 2025 world championship unless he makes significant improvements in his racing skills, as stated by a former Formula 1 driver. Amidst claims that he may not have the mental strength to succeed this season, Norris made a bold move to overtake pole-sitter Max Verstappen in Miami, only to be pushed off the track, which dropped him to sixth place. The McLaren driver claimed he was "forced off" and noted that racing against his friend Verstappen felt like "crash or don’t pass" – however, his teammate and eventual winner Oscar Piastri managed to execute a clean pass on the four-time world champion later in the race.

      "I don't know what's wrong with Norris," former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher shared with Sky Deutschland at that time. The German has since reinforced his opinion, indicating that Norris is now being outmatched by fellow title contenders Piastri and Verstappen. "Norris isn’t capable of it; otherwise, he would have done it," Schumacher stated when asked about Norris' ongoing struggles in competitive situations. "There are no excuses," added the six-time Grand Prix winner. "Some drivers have a remarkable ability for this – that’s obviously Verstappen, but also Piastri and I have to mention (Oliver) Bearman as well.

      "Norris simply lacks that talent, and he won’t be able to learn it either. It will remain this way," Schumacher asserted. "He’s missing fundamental overtaking skills. You typically learn that in karting, so he should be capable of it." The younger brother of F1 legend Michael Schumacher thinks Norris consistently takes too long to reach the front, which is problematic. "It’s not how he can become a world champion."

      Another common critique of Norris is his perceived lack of mental strength compared to drivers like the composed Piastri or the aggressive Verstappen. Schumacher believes a shift in the teammate dynamic at McLaren has already transpired. "Piastri clearly feels superior after the Miami weekend," he noted, highlighting that the Australian has won four out of the last five races. “He (Piastri) was even somewhat unlucky with the safety car during the sprint, which is the only reason Norris won in the end. So, it’s a challenging situation for Norris, and his criticisms of Verstappen aren’t helping him either.

      "Even his own team boss Andrea Stella recognized that it was Norris’ mistake," Schumacher remarked. He also suggested that Norris' difficulties may intensify in the upcoming races. "Norris knows he needs to deliver now," stated the 49-year-old. "This means he might increase his risk-taking, particularly because he must be tired of being labeled the weak link. I think he’ll try to demonstrate more toughness now – however, he lacks the finesse of a Piastri. Piastri is also proving that he can take tight lines and defend aggressively. I can foresee Norris misjudging a situation in a direct confrontation, which could lead to contact with his teammate."