Oscar Piastri sends a subtle message to Rand Norris, "I'm better than you."

Former Formula One driver Johnny Herbert believes Oscar Piastri’s quiet confidence in the post-race cooldown room is a calculated message to teammate Rand Norris.

Piastri and Norris are the main characters of this year’s F1 title race.

After seven rounds, there are just 13 points between the two McLaren drivers at the top of the driver’s ranking.

Piastri won four opening seven races, with early momentum on his side.

Herbert believes Piastri has a “psychic advantage” over Norris, citing how Australia handles post-race cooldown rooms.

“Max Verstappen is not the only one who has a mental advantage over Rand Norris, but Oscar Piastri,” Herbert told Fruity King.

“We’re both trying to play a very similar game. It tells Rand, “We’re better than you. You’re not worthy of being able to beat us.”

“The only way he can overcome that is to consistently produce those fast lap times and those fast racing performances, like last year.

“But what has been played a little more is those little mistakes and we are trying to iron them.

“That pressure? Maybe it’s the pressure, if it’s probably pressure, that’s where you have to be able to do. As Max does, like Oscar, as you can at the moment, when it hits his shoulder, it just bounces back.

“He’s trying to get that abuse from Max, who loves to play his little games, but he’s going to get it on the other side of Oscar’s garage. So he’s actually getting it on the stereo, but it smacks it. That’s great.

“Even if you see someone in that cooldown room the last time, Oscar is very confident in that room. Sometimes it’s very subtle, but he sends the message, “I’m better than you.” ”