Lando Norris must do something we've never seen before with Oscar Piastri showing him up

He was the pre-season favourite, with tipped to dominate the early months of 2025 and retain their constructors' crown. And the latter half of that prophecy has come true – they've won five Grands Prix out of six and are already more than 100 points clear of their nearest challengers.

But, for , there is fear that his clearest ever opportunity to live up to the 'future world champion' tag he has carried for years may not be taken. Mistakes have crept in and the Brit, 25, hasn't won a race since the opening day of the season, despite having the quickest car on the grid.

Instead, his even younger and far less experienced team-mate has been showing Norris how it's done. With one quarter of the season in the books, is now the man to beat having won four of the first six Grands Prix.

The 23-year-old is on and exudes calmness and class every time he gets behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. In contrast, though he is clearly one of the very best on the grid, there is still a measure of composure missing for Norris.

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Everyone in the F1 paddock has been impressed with Piastri since he debuted in 2023 and, like Norris, he is one of several drivers given – or perhaps cursed with – that 'future world champion' moniker. But it wasn't supposed to be this year.

With in decline and unable to dominate as a result, the gate was wide open for Norris to walk though. He still might, of course. Eighteen rounds remain including four more sprints and the Brit is only 16 points behind Piastri ahead of next Sunday's Imola race.

The McLaren car has been quick enough for Norris to recover to the podium after every disappointing qualifying result, but so often he is giving himself too much work to do. And every time he starts behind Piastri, Norris is making it virtually impossible for himself to win.

Partly because the Aussie makes up for the 82 fewer Grand Prix starts to his name, compared to his team-mate, by being impressively quick and consistent. But also because McLaren are particularly cautious and, at least up until the teams' title is secure, will choose preserving a points haul over letting their drivers race – every time.

Is it time for Norris to start ignoring those orders? If he keeps finding himself looking at his team-mate's gearbox, he might have to. One way or another. Norris has to achieve something very few others have managed – make Piastri sweat.

If he can't, then a golden opportunity to summit the F1 world looks set to pass him by. And while McLaren may be the sport's dominant force right now, who knows where the chips will fall when new engine regulations shake up the grid next year.