Prost offers wise advice to Piastri and Norris amid title battle

As Oscar Piastri surges into the 2025 Formula 1 championship lead, the pressure is mounting – not just on the track but off it as well.

And no one knows the stakes of a title battle better than four-time world champion Alain Prost, who has weighed in with some pointed advice for both Piastri and his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.

With Piastri leading the 2025 F1 championship by 16 points after six races, his four victories have flipped the script on Norris, the early title favorite.

But for Prost, nicknamed “The Professor” for his cerebral approach, success hinges not just on the track but in the mind.

Drawing from his 51 wins and battles with Ayrton Senna, the 70-year-old F1 veteran offers sage advice to the young stars, urging them to master the mental game in an era amplified by social media’s spotlight.

Piastri’s Quiet Strength

Prost sees a kindred spirit in Piastri, whose reserved demeanor mirrors his own calculated style. The Australian’s knack for error-free weekends and cool-headed racing has propelled him to the championship lead, catching the Frenchman’s eye.

“The new championship leader, Oscar Piastri, doesn’t communicate much,” Prost told France’s l’Equipe. “We don’t know much about his life off the track.

“Naturally reserved, the Australian disappears between races and frees himself from this pressure.”

Piastri has often preferred to let his driving do the talking – a trait Prost not only appreciates but actively encourages.

“If I had one piece of advice to give him, it would be to keep quiet,” Prost said. The advice is classic Prost: calculated, understated, and rooted in a philosophy that prioritizes mental fortitude as much as raw speed.

“Motorsport is obviously played out on the track,” the Frenchman explained. “The reflexes and natural talent of the drivers are obviously essential.

“But motorsport is also played out in the mind. Psychology is a crucial element. It already was in my day, but social networks have made it even more crucial to a driver’s success.

“Nowadays, everything is shown, everything is experienced, everything is known. A lot of drivers are succumbing to this trend towards sharing.

“I think that in doing so, they put themselves under a lot of pressure. Others choose discretion and, in my opinion, with good reason.”

Norris Criticized for Overexposure, Vulnerability

While Prost clearly holds Norris in high regard as a driver, he didn’t hold back when addressing what he sees as a growing vulnerability in the Brit’s approach – particularly in the digital and public arena.

“Norris, on the other hand, is constantly on the [social] networks. You see him in nightclubs,” Prost remarked bluntly. “And what’s more, when he’s on the track, he admits his weaknesses.

“The more you show yourself, the more fragile you become.”

In recent weeks, Norris has come under scrutiny for appearing to crack under the pressure of being outperformed by his younger teammate. Former world champion Alan Jones previously labelled Norris’ reactions as a “sign of weakness”—a sentiment Prost seemed to echo.

“Lando is a driver whom I respect enormously, but if I had one piece of advice to give him, it would be to keep quiet and not to weaken himself like that,” Prost said.

“The consequences are enormous, and not just for his fellow drivers. There’s the image he’s spreading around the team.

“This is more important than you might think because it influences the impressions that the mechanics and engineers have, which are crucial.”

A Professor’s Prescription for Success

As Piastri and Norris battle for the 2025 crown, Prost’s words carry the weight of experience.

The championship leader’s understated approach aligns with the discretion Prost champions, offering a blueprint for sustained success.

Norris, with his raw speed and charisma, faces a tougher lesson: balancing authenticity with restraint.

In a sport where psychology can tip the scales, The Professor’s advice – keep quiet, stay strong – might just be the edge McLaren’s stars need to conquer themselves and the championship.

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