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If it weren't already a sweltering sauna in the Marina Bay circuit, the increasing intensity of this year's F1 title fight would be sufficient to make even the toughest competitor struggle. Handling the pressure may prove the difference between the team's Lando Norris and Piastri as the title battle ratchets up with each grand prix.

The Title Fight Is Extremely Close

Starting with this weekend's meeting in Marina Bay, seven races remain and the title race is finely poised. The Australian is ahead of his British rival by 25 points. Each are allowed to compete each other and with Max Verstappen still a significant sixty-nine points behind, it is a direct contest, with very little separating between them.

Drawing from Past Winners

Formula One's most seasoned and accomplished drivers know this situation all too well. In 2007, when Hamilton narrowly missed securing the title in the last grand prix at Interlagos in his debut season, it showed him the distinct pressure of a championship fight.

“I recall the buildup to those races at the end and the pressure was present,” he said. “That was not needed. If I knew then what I know now, I would have easily won that title, I think. I've realized to avoid adding stress that’s unneeded.”

Welcome the Cauldron

Step forward, Norris and Piastri, to the cauldron. The upper hand thus far has shifted between them. Lando has five wins to Oscar's seven wins and the pair have barely been off the top three in a McLaren car that has been the class of the field. Piastri has been steadier, with his British rival finding it hard to adapt to a reduced sensation for grip from the front tires. Nonetheless, they have dominated, the gap between them often only which could deliver flawlessly, across qualifying and the race.

Expensive Errors for Norris

In this aspect the British driver has been found wanting, small errors were damaging in China, more so after a disappointing Saturday in Sakhir and worse still when surrendering the points advantage after crashing out in the qualifying session in Saudi Arabia. Then, most critically, too aggressive in Canada he hit his partner and retired, an enormous setback.

Piastri's Steadiness and Small Slip-ups

Piastri, notably in only his third season in Formula One, has been more comfortable. For a while sliding off at the first race in the wet in Albert Park was his only fault and one which was excusable in the unexpected downpour. Subsequently, the Australian was also caught out and passed by an alert Max at Imola, while his misjudgment and penalty for “erratic braking” under the yellow flag at the British Grand Prix cost him a likely win.

Recent Struggles in Baku

Yet, these were minor hiccups against something of a debacle at the last round in Azerbaijan. In Baku, the McLaren driver hit the wall in qualifying leaving him in ninth position, only to follow it with a jump start, the car entering anti-stall mode and sending him to the back of the field.

Trying to gain places on the opening lap, he misread the traction and finished in the wall, an unusual series of errors that he acknowledged he could ill afford in this weekend's race.

“Baku was quite a good reminder of how quickly things can change,” he said. “There are takeaways about how I can handle that more effectively and insights on taking chances I guess is the most accurate description to describe it. No major changes that needs to change or that I am going to adjust.”

Learning from Past Examples

The pair are, for all their talent, still refining their skills in F1, a journey often traveled by other drivers on the grid. The opening years of Hamilton's time in F1 were exceptional, but he also committed his fair share of mistakes. Piastri could take note of Sakhir in 2008, the year the multiple title winner won his first title but which was characterized by other mistakes as he was engaged in an intense fight with Felipe Massa.

On the starting grid in Manama he had failed to correctly set the start procedure on his McLaren and it entered anti-stall, dropping him to the back. Soon after, trying to regain positions, he touched the rear of the Renault driver's car and had to pit with a damaged nose. He came 13th after a race he described as “a catastrophe”.

Max's Initial Development

Similarly the Dutch driver's first years were marked by errors as he learned his craft. After a expensive incident in Monte Carlo in 2018 then boss Christian Horner openly called for his racer to demonstrate more discipline.

Max, too, took it on board, the inconsistency almost entirely eliminated when he began winning titles. “This has just been character-building,” he said at the time. “Throughout my life there have been times of character-building and this was another step. Sometimes, it is not enjoyable but at times you require it.”

Closing Thoughts

Norris and Piastri are not up with the multiple champions yet but they are facing the same pressure and absorbing the same lessons. As Niki Lauda observed, the initial championship is invariably the hardest. Securing this championship out is the greatest test of their careers and will probably fall to the driver who can most effectively manage the pressure.