Norris' 'opposite mentality' to Hamilton's after 'pivotal' title turn

F1 analyst James Hinchcliffe has noted a "polar opposite mentality" between Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton after a "pivotal" Mexico City Grand Prix.

Norris returned to the top spot of the drivers' championship for the first time since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April, leading teammate Oscar Piastri by just one point with four race weekends remaining.

It's a real turnaround for the 25-year-old, who has now found some form at the end of the season, something that he could not find in 2024, resulting in him losing in his first-ever title battle to Max Verstappen.

Suggestions about blocking distractions and social media noise have been linked to Norris' turnaround in his end-of-season form, something that Hichcliffe believes certain drivers find helpful.

Photo: Race Pictures

“I think it’s driver-dependent. I think some people need that focus. That’s how they get the best out of themselves. Cut all distractions out,” the Canadian said while on the F1 Nation podcast.

“You’re almost a different version of yourself at the racetrack; some drivers perform best when they’re light and free and feel comfortable just being there.

“I’ve always kind of found, not always, but, to me, it seems like Lando has identified himself as the latter. He’s found what works for him. Even when he’s had bad days this year, he still comes into the [media] pen."

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“He can still crack a joke, he can still crack a smile. It’s the polar opposite to Lewis [Hamilton]. Lewis has a bad day; you’re lucky you get three words out of him," continued Hinchcliffe, noting the differences between Norris and Hamilton, with the Ferrari driver the last Brit to win the world championship in 2020.

“Lando will still crack a smile, ‘Yeah, hey, that one sucked, you know?’ I think that’s been a conscious thing of his, to be light, because I think he performs well when he’s light.”

Earlier in the season at the Spanish Grand Prix, Norris, who has been outspoken about his battles with his mental health, detailed how he deals with those struggles.

Mexico victory a 'pivotal' moment in the championship

Thanks to Norris' commanding victory in Mexico City, the Brit has now become the favourite to take the world championship, finding much more current joy than Piastri.

Such was the dominace for Norris over the rest of his championship rivals, Hinchcliffe believes it has given Norris a huge leap towards a maiden world championship.

“I think we could look back on this race after Abu Dhabi, and look at this one as a pretty pivotal one, because I think it goes one of two ways.

Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen go into the final four races of the season in championship contention - Photo: Race Pictures

“This was an absolutely dominant lights-to-flag from pole, massive margin in qualifying, victory by 30 seconds. That’s the kind of confidence that a driver really wants.

“This could kick Lando into an entirely another gear, or now the eyes are on him, and now, Oscar is like, ‘I’m not protecting a lead anymore, the only way I get this back is by being aggressive’, and we see him come back."

The Brazilian Grand Prix is the next race on the 2025 calendar as the title battle continues to bubble up, with the penultimate sprint weekend taking place at Interlagos.