F1 Insider Predicts 'Mind Games' At McLaren For 2025 Championship
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Formula One presenter Naomi Schiff has predicted that "mind games" will be at play in the McLaren garage as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri battle closely for the 2025 championship.
McLaren's MCL39 F1 car has been a dominant machine this season thus far, given that Piastri and Norris occupy the top two positions in the Drivers' Standings in the same order. The Papaya outfit experienced a resurgence in the current ground effect era, mid-2024, and surpassed Red Bull to win the constructors' championship.
The Woking-based outfit adopted a radical approach with the MCL39, which is mostly new compared to its predecessor, the MCL38. However, having a dominant car with two strong drivers could lead to a situation where they are constantly compared.
Following Norris' British Grand Prix win last weekend, he closed the gap to Piastri in the championship by a considerable margin. He trails his Australian teammate by just 8 points. Sky Sports' Naomi Schiff has opened up on the probability of mental games affecting both drivers. She said:
Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren and Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren take part in media duties on the deck of the hospitality suite during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of...
Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren and Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren take part in media duties on the deck of the hospitality suite during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. More"They have proven to be competitive at every circuit and have so much consistency that it doesn't look like anyone is able, yet, to take the fight to them.
"So mind games will 100% come into it.
"Comparison is the killer of joy! Your teammate next to you is constantly being compared. That's what will be hard.
"I am sure [Mark Webber] has been giving [Piastri] help from the sidelines of all the things to think about."
Schiff believes Norris has more homework to do than Piastri, considering he was slower in qualifying at Silverstone. She added:
"There were a few places that Lando dropped the ball this weekend.
"He didn't have the right lap in qualifying. He qualified behind his teammate.
"There were rumours he was saving the inters but he didn't seem to be as quick as Oscar.
"There are things for him to study despite his victory."
Piastri failed to extend his lead in the championship after a safety car infringement at Silverstone, for which he was handed a ten-second penalty. That allowed Norris to take the lead and seal his victory. Expressing his frustration at the penalty, Piastri said after the race:
"Yeah, I'm not gonna say much. I'll get myself in trouble, so well done to Nico. I think that's the highlight of the day, so... yeah, I'll leave it there."
When Jenson Button insisted he spoke about the incident, Piastri added:
"Yeah, I mean, apparently you can't brake behind the safety car anymore. I mean, I did it for five laps before that and... again, I'm not gonna say too much 'cause I'll get myself in trouble. But thanks to the crowd for a great event. Thanks for sticking through the weather. I still like Silverstone even if I don't like it today, so thanks for coming out."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Phil Mickelson Claims He 'Owned Tiger Woods,' Named Putter Tiger Slayer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are two of the most well-known names in the history of modern professional golf. Throughout the early 2000s, those two guys were the faces of the PGA Tour. Now, Mickelson is a LIV Golf captain, and Tiger is taking on more of a leadership role as injuries continue to limit his competitive golf. Grant Horvat, the social phenom and avid golfer, posted a golf match video with Mickelson, squaring off against Bryson DeChambeau and Garrett Clark. During the round, he noticed Mickelson's putter cover and its name. "You actually have Tiger Slayer written on your putter cover," Horvat said. Mickelson chuckled and said, "Sometimes the truth hurts." ⛳️🐅🗡️ #WATCH: Phil Mickelson tells the tale of how his putter got its name: 'Tiger Slayer' and claims he and Tiger Woods are essentially tied when playing head to head. (Via: @GrantHorvatGolf) — NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 9, 2025 The camera cut to DeChambeau and Clark chuckling. "He has Tiger Slayer on his putter, that's funny — That guy's a madman," DeChambeau said. Mickelson then asked Horvat if he wanted to know how the flat stick got its name, and of course, the YouTuber was all ears for Lefty's story. He claimed it was from the 2012 AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach. Mickelson earned his 40th career PGA Tour event that week, but the name came from the final round when he battled Tiger for the victory. "We went out and played. I used that putter. I made everything. I shot 64, he shot 75, and that's where it initially slayed the Tiger," Mickelson explained. From there, Horvat wanted to know if the putter continued to help the six-time major winner achieve success. Most know what kind of opponent Tiger Woods was during that time frame, and so did Mickelson. "He owned me the first half of our careers," Lefty explained. "His record against me head-to-head was dominant." LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods face-off during a press conference before The Match at Shadow Creek Golf Course on November 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods face-off during a press conference before The Match at Shadow Creek Golf Course on November 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo byfor The Match Then he made a bold claim about his and Tiger's head-to-head record. "The second part, I owned him," Mickelson continued. "After 2007 I started working with Butch [Harmon] and I started doing really well head to head. Our head-to-head record when we were paired together —I believe it's dead even." Lefty's claim is not as accurate as he would like you to believe. But he made sure to give props where they were due. "It is now even when we play together," he noted. "His record is his record. He's the greatest of all time. I've seen him do things with a golf ball that I've never seen anybody be able to do. His play in 2000 was indescribable, how good it was." Was Phil Mickelson spot on vs. Tiger Woods? Many would think that these two stars often played together, but that is not the case. The two legends only played in the same group 38 times during their illustrious careers. Tiger recorded the better round 19 times, to Mickelson's 15. Four times they shot the same number. Woods won seven of those events to Lefty's three. However, one must remember that Mickelson said from 2007 onward that he "owned" Tiger Woods when they played together. From 2007 to 2020, Mickelson went 10-9-1 in head-to-head rounds. It is hard to call that any sort of domination. Nevertheless, most fans solely remember Woods leaving Phil in his tracks over and over. It is hard to believe that, as dominant as Tiger was throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s. But Mickelson was not too far off about the overall numbers. Today's stars play against each other all the time, so it is also wild to see that two of the best players on the PGA Tour have only gone head-to-head 38 times. These stats are just a hint at the battle between Tiger and Phil, though. Numerous other statistical categories demonstrate the Big Cat's dominance since 1997. Mickelson can call his putter the Tiger Slayer all he wants, but Woods still controlled golf throughout this period. More Golf: Keegan Bradley Praised for 'Wise Choice' Sure to Boost Team USA at Ryder Cup
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
Investors grow restless as Tesla inches toward key shareholder meeting deadline — and risks violating Texas law
Tesla risks violating a corporate governance rule in Texas, and shareholders are sounding the alarm. The EV maker, which was incorporated in the state of Texas in 2024 after leaving Delaware, has yet to schedule its annual shareholder meeting, which by state law must occur within 13 months of the last one. For Tesla, that deadline is Sunday, July 13. In a letter obtained by Business Insider sent four days ahead of the deadline, a group of investors managing $1.5 trillion in collective assets is demanding that Tesla publicly announce an "Annual General Meeting" date, disclose access details, and give shareholders "sufficient time and information to engage meaningfully in the governance process." "This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about the company's respect for shareholder rights," the letter said. "As fiduciaries, we believe strong corporate governance and responsive board oversight are foundational to long-term company success." The letter is signed by 27 shareholders, including multiple large pension funds and state treasurers, such as New York City Comptroller Brad S. Lander, Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner, and State of Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman. International funds from Denmark and Sweden, such as the Friends Fiduciary Corporation, a Quaker-aligned investment firm, have also signed on. The letter and Tesla's impending deadline were first reported by the New York Times. Kevin Thomas, CEO of Shareholder Association for Research and Education, the main signatory of the letter, told Business Insider that he has yet to hear back from Tesla. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Thomas, in charge of the Canada-based advocacy group that advises funds with $150 billion in assets, told BI that corporations usually provide notice at least two weeks ahead of a meeting, but Tesla has yet to do so "as the clock starts to tick." "We definitely are concerned about the global drop in sales, the share prices tanking, and the CEO's attention span," Thomas said. "So that's why we want to have the meeting, not just because we like going to meetings, but because we actually think there are things that need to be discussed with shareholders in a transparent and accountable way." "I'll just say this, that shareholders shouldn't have to rely on courts to enforce basic rights," Thomas added of Tesla. "We've invested in it for a good reason, and as its returns and its sales and its performance tips, now is the time to intervene." Texas' Business Organization Code states that a court in the county where the company's principal executive office is located "may order a meeting to be held" if the company fails to hold the meeting or obtain written consent within a 13-month period. For Tesla, that would be Travis County, where its Gigafactory Texas is located. Tesla now has four days left to schedule a meeting, or the shareholders can take matters to a judge, who could compel a meeting. Tesla moved its headquarters to Texas from California in late 2021 after CEO Elon Musk expressed dissatisfaction with the Golden State's COVID-19 policies and housing costs for employees. The official incorporation of the company also moved to Texas from Delaware after a state court invalidated Musk's pay package, which was worth $56 billion at the time. Tesla shares are down nearly 40% compared to their peak in December 2024, and down around 30% since President Donald Trump's inauguration day. The EV giant also saw declining sales over the first two quarters of 2025. Analysts have recently written that investors are " growing tired" of Musk's political activities, which are seen as a distraction from his company. This follows the billionaire's public split from Trump and his recent announcement of a new political party.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Hundreds of huge Amazon packages arrive at Calif. woman's doorstep for over a year after Chinese seller lists her home as return address
A California woman has received hundreds of huge Amazon packages she didn't order after a cheap Chinese seller listed her San Jose home as its return address. The woman — identified only as Kay — has been receiving the parcels for over a year now, and they've been arriving at such speed, she's had no choice but to stack them up in her driveway to maintain some semblance of order. The boxes are piled chest high in her yard, and have become so numerous she can no longer park her car there. Advertisement 4 The San Jose woman, identified only as Kay, has been unable to park her car in her own driveway due to the piles of packages. ABC 7 Eyewitness News 'It's just been another form of hell,' Kay told ABC 7. The culprit is a China-based Amazon seller called Liusandedian, which peddles faux leather car seat covers that apparently fit few of the models they're designed for — so customers by the hundreds have been sending the junk products back. Advertisement But the unwanted seat covers haven't been going back to wherever Liusandedian is in China — they've been going to Kay's California driveway. It started as just one package that Kay thought was a wrong delivery, but more boxes kept arriving over the following weeks. Weeks turned into months — which became over a year — with more and more parcels showing up at her steps until Kay's stoop was buried in boxes. 4 The boxes are filled with faux leather seat covers from a Chinese company, and they apparently don't fit cars well. ABC 7 Eyewitness News 'What you see now is a fraction, because I have refused delivery on more packages than you see here,' she said. Advertisement The package pandemonium has become such a problem that sometimes when she comes home, she can't get her 88-year-old mother to the front door without first parting the sea of boxes blocking the entryway. And Amazon offered her next to no help for months — with at least six different complaint tickets being filed to no avail, she said. 'Every time I was absolutely assured this will stop,' she told ABC 7. ''You won't get any more of these packages, you'll hear from us in 24, 48 hours.' 4 The packages have been showing up for over a year, and Kay estimates she's received hundreds. ABC 7 Eyewitness News Advertisement The business once tried offering her a $100 gift card for her trouble — but she also claims they told her it was her job to get rid of the packages and suggested she donate them or ship them back to the sender. 'Why is it my responsibility to get rid of this, when your seller is not following your rules, Amazon?' she said, referring to a Liusandedian's apparent violation of Amazon's policies. 4 Kay will sometimes come home to find her stoop buried in packages, blocking her from getting into the house. ABC 7 Eyewitness News International sellers are required to either list a US address for returns, give buyers a pre-paid shipping label, or issue refunds without requiring anything be mailed back. If they fail to do so within two days of a return request, Amazon is allowed to refund the buyer and bill the seller. Liusandedian — which, outside of its Amazon listings, is a ghost online — appears to have skirted around those rules by including a bogus address that turned out to be Kay's address. Amazon denied that it ever told Kay to handle the problem herself, but on Wednesday finally arrived to clear out the packages — and assured her, again, that she'd never see another Liusandedian seat cover. 'We'd like to thank [ABC 7] for bringing this to our attention. We've apologized to the customer and are working directly with her to pick up any packages while taking steps to permanently resolve this issue,' the company told the outlet.
