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If it weren't already an intense heatwave in Singapore, the increasing intensity of this season's F1 world championship would be enough to make even the toughest driver wilt. Withstanding the pressure may prove the deciding factor between the team's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as the title battle ratchets up with every race.

This Championship Battle Remains Extremely Close

Including this round's race in Singapore, seven races are left and the championship is finely poised. The Australian is ahead of his British rival by 25 points. Each are allowed to compete against one another and with the Red Bull driver still a significant 69 in arrears, it is a head-to-head contest, with very little separating the two McLaren drivers.

Learning from Past Winners

F1's most experienced and accomplished competitors know this scenario very clearly. In 2007, when Hamilton narrowly missed winning the championship in the final race at Interlagos in his debut season, it showed him the distinct pressure of a title tilt.

“I recall the lead-up to those races at the conclusion and the pressure was there,” he stated. “That was not needed. Had I known then what I know now, I would have comfortably secured that title, I think. I've realized not to add stress that’s unneeded.”

Welcome the Cauldron

Welcome then, Norris and Piastri, to the intense environment. The upper hand thus far has shifted between them. Lando has five victories to Oscar's seven and the duo have scarcely missed the podium in a McLaren car that has been the class of the field. Piastri has been steadier, with his teammate finding it hard to adapt to a lack of feel for grip from the front axle. Even so, they have dominated, the gap separating them often just who could perform perfectly, across Saturday sessions and the race.

Costly Errors for Lando

In this regard the British driver has been lacking, minor mistakes were damaging in Shanghai, more so after a poor qualifying in Bahrain and worse still when losing the championship lead after crashing out in qualifying in Saudi Arabia. Then, most critically, over-eager in Montreal he hit his partner and went out, an massive blow.

Piastri's Steadiness and Small Slip-ups

The young driver, notably in only his third season in F1, has been more comfortable. For some time spinning out at the first race in the rain in Melbourne was his sole error and one which was excusable in the unexpected downpour. Subsequently, the Australian was also overtaken and surpassed by an alert Verstappen at Imola, while his mistake and sanction for “unpredictable slowing” under the yellow flag at Silverstone denied him a likely win.

Latest Struggles in Baku

However, these were small issues against something of a debacle at the last round in Baku. In Baku, Piastri crashed out in qualifying leaving him ninth on the grid, only to compound it with a false start, the car going into anti-stall mode and dropping him to the rear of the pack.

Chasing positions on the first lap, he misjudged the traction and ended in the barriers, an unusual sequence of errors that he admitted he could cannot repeat in Singapore.

“Baku was quite a good reminder of how rapidly things can turn around,” he said. “There are takeaways about how I can handle that more effectively and insights on risk I guess is the most accurate description to put it. No major changes that needs to be altered or that I am going to adjust.”

Gaining from Past Examples

The pair are, for all their talent, still honing their abilities in F1, a journey often traveled by some of their peers on the starting lineup. The opening years of Hamilton's time in F1 were outstanding, but he also made his share of errors. The McLaren driver could take note of Sakhir in 2008, the year the multiple title winner won his first title but which was characterized by additional errors as he found himself in an close battle with Felipe Massa.

On the grid in Bahrain he had failed to properly configure the start procedure on his McLaren and it went into anti-stall, relegating him down the grid. Shortly afterwards, trying to regain positions, he touched the rear of Fernando Alonso's car and had to make a stop with a damaged nose. He finished 13th after a race he described as “a disaster”.

Verstappen's Initial Career

Similarly Verstappen's early career were defined by errors as he learned his craft. After one costly crash in Monaco in 2018 then team principal Christian Horner publicly demanded his driver to demonstrate greater control.

Max, too, took it on board, the inconsistency all but gone when he began winning titles. “This was character-building,” he said at the moment. “Throughout my life there have been periods of character-building and this was one more stage. Occasionally, it is not enjoyable but sometimes you require it.”

Closing Observations

The McLaren teammates are not yet at the level of the multiple champions so far but they are facing the identical stress and absorbing the same lessons. As Niki Lauda noted, the first title is invariably the hardest. Closing this one out is the greatest test of their professional lives and will likely be decided by the one who can most effectively manage the pressure.