Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has offered Lando Norris advice to receive help and has warned him that Oscar Piastri could overhaul him.
Norris was very critical of himself once again following last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, with a mistake at the first corner impacting his race.
The Briton dipped a wheel into the gravel on the exit of the first corner and dropped from fourth to seventh, putting an early end to any hopes of a podium.
Much to his disappointment, he was beaten by Max Verstappen, with the duo finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Verstappen now boasts a 78-point lead over Norris, whose frustration is understandable in Schumacher's eyes.
"As a driver, you are always especially angry with yourself when you make mistakes," Schumacher told Sky DE.
"He had an average start, but inexplicably drives off the track. So he was logically frustrated. His team-mate is in front of him, which obviously doesn't help either.
"Lando probably doesn't even know himself why he shot off the track, or he had no grip at the front. These are all small things that have a big impact, of course. It can happen, but it shouldn't happen."
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Norris support
Norris has made a costly small error in several races this season, with the driver often being highly self-critical when speaking to the media.
Schumacher believes Norris should seek help from a "mental coach", for example, to control his emotions both whilst driving and when speaking after a session.
As things stand, Schumacher believes Piastri – who finished second – will catch Norris in the standings, highlighting why Norris must address his small errors and self-criticalness as soon as possible.
"He urgently needs to change it, because otherwise the relatively cool Piastri will catch up with him at some point when he puts it all together in the races," added Schumacher.
"Working with a mental coach can help for more confidence and to become calmer. Relaxation exercises also help.
"For example, you do it with chosen music, you concentrate on something. Skiers are brilliant, they go down the slopes to the second, you don't have that in motor sports.
"Everyone does it in their own way. Some drivers don't need it, but Lando I think could use some support."
Also interesting:
In the latest episode of the RacingNews365 podcast, Ian, Sam and Nick look back at last weekend's Belgian GP and look ahead to the summer break! George Russell's disqualification is discussed as well as what Red Bull needs to do to prevent McLaren beating it to the constructors’ crown.
Rather watch than listen to the podcast? Click here.
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