Ralf Schumacher has seen something in Lando Norris this season that means ‘top’ F1 teams will never sign him

McLaren driver Lando Norris didn’t have the most successful first triple header of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

After being frustrated by Max Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix, Lando Norris witnessed his McLaren teammate star in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Oscar Piastri claimed pole position, the fastest lap and victory in Bahrain, before fighting off Verstappen in Jeddah on Sunday.

It means that after Piastri handed Norris a 23-point lead after his mistake at the Australia Grand Prix, his less experienced teammate has now opened up a 10-point gap at the top of the drivers’ championship.

It’s still extremely early in the season, but given how close the drivers at the front of the pack are, Norris can’t afford too many mistakes if he wants to win his maiden F1 title.

Norris and Piastri’s reputations in the paddock are changing, and former driver Ralf Schumacher has noticed this.

The German pundit is worried that what he’s seen from Norris this season might limit his opportunities elsewhere on the grid if he decides to move away from McLaren.

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Ralf Schumacher concerned with Lando Norris’ approach to the F1 world championship

Schumacher was talking on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast about Norris’ performance in Saudi Arabia.

He explained: “He made that mistake, but in my opinion, he wanted it too much, or rather, he had understeer at that point because he didn’t reach the apex.

“That can happen, but of course, that shouldn’t happen when you’re racing for the world championship.

“No question about it, you have to take a closer look at that. Of course, we don’t see the data, but yes, it looks like a mistake on his part.

“That shouldn’t happen when you’re racing for the world championship. But, one thing is also clear, he already knows what’s going on, right?

“And he knows that if he doesn’t perform this year, it will be difficult for him [to work with] other teams at some point.

“But then, you know how it is in the paddock, once they think that you’re a rubbish driver or not mentally strong enough to become world champion, then of course, you no longer have access to the other top teams.”

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Lando Norris ‘surprised’ by his McLaren that led to Saudi Arabian Grand Prix error

While the MCL39 appears to be the quickest car on the grid, that doesn’t mean it’s the easiest to drive.

Piastri appears to be much better suited to Norris when it comes to pushing the car to its limits, which was demonstrated in Saudi Arabia.

Norris was on top of Piastri during each practice session, but when it came to putting in a pivotal qualifying lap, the Brit came unstuck.

Norris has been surprised by McLaren’s car when pushing it to its limits, especially during qualifying.

In the aftermath of the race, Norris explained why he thinks he’s making mistakes, and while that honesty if very welcome, it’s clear that he has a very differnet approach to Piastri in that regard.

In terms of which top teams might be interested in the 25-year-old, Red Bull have previously admired Norris, which might come into play once again as Verstappen’s F1 future is being questioned.