Lewis Hamilton Warns Norris And Piastri To Be “Cut-Throat” In Battle With Verstappen

Hamilton Tells Norris And Piastri To Be Ruthless To Beat Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton knows a thing or two about title fights and he’s warning the next generation not to blink. The seven-time world champion has urged McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to toughen up if they hope to keep Max Verstappen from claiming a fifth straight Formula 1 crown.

A Battle Heating Up At The Top

With just five races remaining and 141 points still on the table, the 2025 F1 championship is turning into one of the tightest finishes in years. Piastri still leads the standings, but Verstappen has sliced his once-massive 104-point deficit down to just 40 after three wins in four races. Norris, meanwhile, sits only 14 points behind his McLaren teammate, setting up a tense intra-team showdown.

From his vantage point at Ferrari, Hamilton who lost a dramatic 2021 title duel to Verstappen says both young drivers must adopt the same relentless mindset that made the Dutchman so dominant.

Hamilton’s Advice: “Be Cut-Throat”

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton didn’t mince words:

“You really have to be cut-throat and that’s what Max is. He’s going to take this from them if they don’t do the same.”

He explained that the closing stretch of a championship demands tunnel vision and emotional control. “The pressure is high,” Hamilton said. “You’ve got to block out the noise, positive or negative. To beat someone like Max, you’ve got to dig deep and stay consistent.”

The Bigger Picture

While Verstappen’s surge has reignited Red Bull’s title hopes, McLaren’s rise has been one of the biggest stories of 2025. The young pairing of Piastri and Norris has pushed the team back into championship contention for the first time in over a decade.

Still, as Hamilton hinted, talent alone won’t decide the outcome. “Consistency is key,” he said, reminding both drivers that mental resilience often wins more titles than raw pace.

As Formula 1 heads to Mexico City this weekend, the question is clear: will McLaren’s rising stars channel their inner Hamilton or will Verstappen’s ruthlessness win out once again?

{Source:ESPN}

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