Lando Norris has found the "perfect timing" to hit his stride in the F1 drivers' championship battle, according to Damon Hill.
The British driver has turned up the wick in recent weeks, claiming consecutive victories — in Mexico City and São Paulo — to seize control of the fight against Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.
With only three rounds of the run-in remaining, Norris leads his team-mate by 24 points in the standings, with the Dutchman a further 25 points adrift.
Hill highlighted the current contrast between the two McLaren drivers, arguing Piastri "looks a bit forlorn" compared to the championship leader.
"He's found something, hasn't he? And it's been perfect timing," the 1996 F1 drivers' champion said of Norris to British newspaper The Mirror.
"It's come at a time when Oscar suddenly looks a bit forlorn, a bit under pressure.
"They're both learning about fighting for a world championship... It's not the same as just driving."
Hill, who won 22 grands prix in an F1 career from 1992 to 1999, explained how difficult the "mental and psychological discipline" required can be on a driver.
Having unsuccessfully fought Michael Schumacher for the crown in 1994 and 1995, before winning his title the following year, he has experienced both sides of a championship battle.
The former Brabham, Williams, Arrows and Jordan driver labelled Norris "world champion material", underscoring his resurgence having fallen behind Piastri earlier in the campaign.
"It becomes a discipline, really, a mental and psychological discipline which is quite demanding," Hill said. "That's what the goal is: To find out who's got the right stuff and who hasn't.
"Lando is world champion material; he's already shown that this year. Yes, there was a time when he went missing, but he's definitely back with a vengeance now, so it's looking good for him."
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