GAIN IN SPAIN

Champagne moment for McLaren aces Piastri and Norris in world title race as Verstappen loses points after ramming Russell

- DANIEL MOXON

WAS this the day that the Formula One title battle became truly a two-horse race?

Max Verstappen had done an excellent job of keeping Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri honest.

But his title defence is in real trouble after he lost his head and slammed into George Russell yesterday, landing a penalty which saw him leave Barcelona with one single point.

McLaren, meanwhile, were flawless and produced their third one-two finish of the season, and their first in Spain for 25 years.

Piastri started on pole and stayed there, while team-mate and title rival Norris was content with the next best result. The Brit said: “Oscar drove a very good race today – I didn't quite have the pace to match him.