TIME TO PICK A WINNER

McLaren wrestle with Max factor

- BY DANIEL MOXON

McLAREN team principal Andrea Stella has refused to rule out picking a No.1 driver to see off the threat of Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman is now just 40 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri after scoring maximum points in Austin with victories in the sprint race and grand prix.

With five rounds to go, including two more sprints, McLaren are not hitting the panic button just yet.

But even though he is not ready to prioritise either Piastri or Lando Norris, Stella admitted it is an option.

He said: "When it comes to having to make a call as to a driver, this will only be led by mathematics.

"We talked before about the experience and leaning on the experience, I can recall at least 2007, 2010, in which you go to the last race and it's actually the third that wins the championship.