Lando Norris sends Oscar Piastri F1 title 'threat' declaration

Lando Norris has stated he feels more of a threat in the F1 drivers' championship after the recent gains he has made with his McLaren.

Norris endured a difficult opening portion to the campaign, winning once in the first seven grands prix.

Team-mate Oscar Piastri enjoyed a more successful stint and built up a lead in the standings.

However, with victories at the last two races, Norris has closed the gap to just eight points as the summer break approaches.

It has left him feeling more confident in his abilities inside the car as he targets his maiden F1 championship.

“I know that there's still some more I need to get,” Norris told the media, including RacingNews365. “There are still more things. I mean, I feel better than I did.

“Do I feel more confident that I can have more performances like that? Yes.

“Do I feel as good as I felt last season, and that I'm performing at the same level consistently enough? I would still say no. I have more understanding of everything now, but we’re talking about very minute things.

“I feel more of a threat now, yes. But with where I'm at, where the car is, and my harmony with the car, it's still not to the level that I want.”

Lando Norris has 'climbed back' to old F1 form

The ongoing season marks the third year Norris and Piastri have been partnered together at McLaren.

The fight between the duo has been much closer this season compared to the previous two campaigns, when Norris held the upper hand.

After his early-season troubles in 2025, Norris has taken confidence from the recent Austrian and British Grand Prix triumphs.

“I feel like I climbed a little bit back to where I was,” Norris added.

“I certainly feel happier. Austria was a place I felt the happiest, even happier than I was in Silverstone, with the car, with the knowledge of where I can push, how I can push.

“A selection of things came together. The pace I had in qualifying was quite easily the best I've had all season.

“A nice thing is that I had the two wins. The most positive thing from those two weekends was the pace was better from the off, and I was more comfortable with the car and in understanding how to get the most pace from it.

“At times, that brings more of a smile to my face than just winning the race itself. It’s progress, and that's always a very good thing. It's a very rewarding thing.”