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If it weren't already an intense heatwave in the Marina Bay circuit, the increasing intensity of this season's Formula One world championship would be sufficient to make even the toughest driver struggle. Handling the stress may prove the difference between McLaren's Norris and Oscar Piastri as the championship contest ratchets up with every race.

This Title Fight Is Extremely Close

Starting with this round's race in Singapore, seven grands prix are left and the title race is finely poised. Piastri is ahead of his British rival by 25 points. Both are allowed to compete against one another and with the Red Bull driver still a significant sixty-nine points behind, it is a direct contest, with little to choose the two McLaren drivers.

Drawing from Previous Winners

F1's most experienced and accomplished drivers know this scenario all too well. In 2007, when Lewis Hamilton narrowly missed winning the title in the final race at Interlagos in his debut season, it showed him the distinct pressure of a championship fight.

“I remember the lead-up to those events at the end and the pressure was present,” he said. “That was unnecessary. Had I known then what I know now, I would have comfortably secured that championship, I think. I have learned to avoid adding stress that’s unnecessary.”

Welcome the Pressure Cooker

Step forward, the McLaren duo, to the cauldron. The advantage thus far has swung between them. Lando has five victories to Oscar's seven wins and the duo have barely been off the top three in a McLaren that has been the best on the grid. The Australian has been more consistent, with his British rival finding it hard to adapt to a lack of feel for traction from the front axle. Even so, they have dominated, the gap separating them often only who could perform flawlessly, across Saturday sessions and the grand prix.

Costly Errors for Norris

In this regard Norris has been found wanting, minor mistakes were costly in Shanghai, especially after a disappointing Saturday in Bahrain and even more troubling when surrendering the championship lead after crashing out in qualifying in Jeddah. Then, most critically, over-eager in Montreal he collided with his teammate and retired, an massive setback.

Oscar's Consistency and Small Errors

The young driver, especially in just his third year in Formula One, has been more at ease. For a while spinning out at the season opener in the rain in Albert Park was his sole error and one which was forgivable in the unexpected downpour. Subsequently, the Melbourne native was also caught out and passed by an opportunistic Verstappen at Imola, while his misjudgment and sanction for “unpredictable slowing” under the yellow flag at the British Grand Prix denied him a likely win.

Recent Struggles in Azerbaijan

Yet, these were small issues against a major incident at the last round in Azerbaijan. In Baku, Piastri crashed out in the qualifying session putting him in ninth position, only to compound it with a jump start, the car going into anti-stall mode and sending him to the rear of the pack.

Chasing places on the first lap, he misread the grip and finished in the barriers, an unusual sequence of mistakes that he acknowledged he could ill afford in Singapore.

“Azerbaijan was quite a good reminder of how quickly things can change,” he said. “There's some lessons about how I can handle that more effectively and lessons on risk I guess is the most accurate description to put it. There's nothing revolutionary that require to be altered or that I am going to adjust.”

Gaining from Past Examples

The pair are, for all their ability, still refining their abilities in F1, a path often traveled by other drivers on the starting lineup. The opening years of Lewis's career were exceptional, but he also made his fair share of errors. The McLaren driver could take note of Sakhir in 2008, the year the seven-time champion took his first title but which was characterized by other mistakes as he was engaged in an close battle with Felipe Massa.

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

Max's Initial Career

Similarly Verstappen's early career were defined by errors as he gained experience. After a expensive incident in Monte Carlo in 2018 then team principal the Red Bull chief publicly demanded his racer to show greater control.

Max, also, took it on board, the inconsistency almost entirely eliminated when he started claiming titles. “This has just been character-building,” he remarked at the time. “Throughout my life there have been periods of personal growth and this was another step. Sometimes, it is not enjoyable but at times you need it.”

Final Observations

Norris and Piastri are not up with the multiple champions so far but they are under the same pressure and learning the same lessons. As Niki Lauda noted, the initial championship is invariably the most difficult. Securing this one out is the greatest test of their professional lives and will likely be decided by the driver who can best handle the heat.