Red Bull motorsport supremo Helmut Marko has waded into the title fight between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
He believes the Australian has the edge over his teammate.
In a candid interview, Marko praised Piastri's mentality and consistency, subtly critiquing Norris's approach to the championship.
With Max Verstappen's title defence now considered an impossibility, the F1 championship has become a thrilling two-horse race between the McLaren drivers.
Piastri currently holds a nine-point lead over his teammate heading into the summer break, and for Marko, that lead is no accident.
“Piastri has the nerve, is more consistent, and always gets the best out of himself. I’ve never seen him so emotionally charged,” Marko told F1 Insider.
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“Norris may be faster per lap, but overall I see Piastri ahead.”
This is high praise from a man who has famously nurtured some of F1’s greatest talents, including Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
Marko's comments directly address a recurring theme of Norris's 2025 season: a series of small but costly errors.
While Norris's raw speed and talent are undeniable, he has been hampered by mistakes in qualifying and a major collision with Piastri in Canada that saw him retire.
Piastri, on the other hand, has built his reputation on a calm and consistent approach.
His composure has seen him bank points in 40 consecutive races, the fourth-longest streak in F1 history.
As Marko noted, Piastri has eliminated the "major fluctuations" in performance that he showed last year, making him a relentless points scorer.
Marko's comments, however, should also be viewed through the lens of Red Bull's current struggles.
With the team now firmly behind McLaren in the championship, Marko’s praise for Piastri also doubles as a shrewd tactical observation.
He hinted that while it is "very sporting" that McLaren is allowing its drivers to race, the intense rivalry could become a disadvantage if the championship battle tightens, potentially allowing a rival to capitalise on any mistakes.
With the summer break now upon us, Marko's verdict adds another layer of intrigue to the title fight.
The second half of the season will be a true test of nerve, consistency, and raw speed, and for now, Red Bull's notoriously sharp-eyed supremo believes the young Australian has the advantage.