Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently praised McLaren driver Oscar Piastri as “mentally stronger” than his teammate Lando Norris. Piastri’s recent victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 21 marked his first career win, further enhancing his reputation as a rising star in Formula 1.

During the Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri took the lead from Norris, securing a win that saw championship leader Max Verstappen finish fourth after a collision with Lewis Hamilton. While Norris is widely considered Verstappen’s primary competitor in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing the Dutchman by 78 points, Marko expressed admiration for Piastri’s mental resilience and performance.

“Oscar has gradually closed the gap to Lando and is even faster at times,” Marko told Sky Germany. “But we will see how the decision turns out.” The comments come as the F1 season enters a 14-day summer shutdown, giving teams a chance to reassess strategies before returning to the track.

Piastri’s recent performances have showcased his potential, but McLaren has been cautious about elevating the 23-year-old to a leading role. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown addressed the team’s strategic approach, emphasizing the importance of supporting Norris’s championship bid while also pursuing the Constructors’ Championship.

“Obviously, as we get later into the season, depending on where Lando is, if there’s areas that Oscar can help support in his quest for the championship, we also are chasing a Constructors’ Championship,” Brown said in an interview with Channel 4. “It’ll be something that Andrea [Stella, team principal] takes a view on that’s probably a race-by-race thing.”

With both Norris and Piastri performing well this season, McLaren remains a strong contender in the 2024 Formula 1 title race. As the season progresses, the dynamic between the two drivers and their contributions to McLaren’s overall success will be closely watched.