Former McLaren driver and F1 veteran David Coulthard believes this internal duel could echo the intensity of the unforgettable 2021 battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton \u2013 a rivalry where only one could be crowned champion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Coulthard, who raced in 246 Grands Prix and scored 13 wins in his career, is thoroughly enjoying the Piastri-Norris duel and believes the young Australian\u2019s current lead is fully deserved.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf it were half a World Championship, Oscar\u2019s won,\u201d Coulthard remarked. \u201cI don\u2019t think anyone could say he hasn\u2019t deserved to be leading \u2013 he was leading before (the McLarens) came together in Canada. But if Lando turns it around in the second half of the season, he\u2019s doing it against someone that\u2019s a talented third-year F1 driver.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Piastri holds a slender eight-point advantage, largely thanks to five wins compared to Norris\u2019s four. But as Coulthard sees it, the true test of championship mettle is yet to come.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The battle between the two McLaren drivers reminds Coulthard of the fierce and controversial 2021 showdown between Verstappen and Hamilton. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit like 2021, where some people are still so vocal about what happened\u2026 only one driver could win. Both Max and Lewis drove like World Champions that year, but only one of them could have the title.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That sense of dual excellence, he believes, is mirrored in the dynamic between Norris and Piastri, where both drivers have shown world-class form \u2013 but only one will take the crown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the rising tension, Coulthard applauded McLaren\u2019s handling of the situation so far, saying the team has managed the rivalry smartly. \u201cI think McLaren have handled it really well. I think both their drivers are on the tamer side of animal than the wilder side of animal, so that probably makes it a little bit easier.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, he was quick to add that moments like these might not come again, urging both drivers to seize the opportunity. \u201cThis could also be their only chance to win a world title; we don\u2019t know what 2026 brings, we don\u2019t know what the future is, so you\u2019ve got to seize the moment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Coulthard was especially impressed by how Piastri has stepped up in his third year in F1. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m really impressed with how Oscar has stepped up this year. But Lando\u2019s response over the last two races is showing his quality as well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He believes the final outcome will mirror 2021 again: two deserving contenders, but only one trophy. \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be one of those things where both of them deserve it, but only one can get it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Coulthard isn\u2019t surprised by the on-track clash between Norris and Piastri in Canada. In fact, he saw it coming \u2014 because he\u2019s lived it. \u201cI predicted the coming together, because I\u2019ve been there and done that \u2013 I crashed into Mika, he crashed into me.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Drawing from his partnership with Mika Hakkinen at McLaren from 1996 to 2001, Coulthard recalled the inevitability of such flashpoints when both drivers feel they can win. \u201cIt\u2019s always going to be the case that no matter how tight a team is, once you have the intensity of both drivers having a chance to win, then that\u2019s going to get more and more complicated.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite McLaren\u2019s dominance, Coulthard was quick to remind everyone that Max Verstappen, though 69 points behind Piastri, cannot be ruled out \u2013 especially if Red Bull brings key upgrades. \u201cYou can\u2019t rule Max out,\u201d he stated, while singling out the Dutchman\u2019s \u201cstellar Qualifying effort\u201d at Silverstone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Drawing from his partnership with Mika Hakkinen at McLaren from 1996 to 2001, Coulthard recalled the inevitability of such flashpoints when both drivers feel they can win. \u201cIt\u2019s always going to be the case that no matter how tight a team is, once you have the intensity of both drivers having a chance to win, then that\u2019s going to get more and more complicated.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt will take an upgrade from Red Bull to give him the consistency. Are they capable of doing it? Absolutely. Have they done it before? Yes. Is Max exceptional? Absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n