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McLaren must make Norris their No.1 as Verstappen threatens unlikely tilt at glory

- BY DANIEL MOXON

IT was no surprise on Sunday night to see McLaren boss Andrea Stella continue to insist they still won't prioritise one driver over the other in this title race.

But it will be stunning if that stance does not change shortly after the lights go out in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Because McLaren will never live it down if these final three weekends end with neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri wearing the crown.

Max Verstappen is one of elite sport's true juggernauts and, under most circumstances, losing out to the Dutchman is nothing to be embarrassed about.

But it was only two weeks ago he was a rank outsider in the title battle, 49 points adrift with three rounds remaining.

Heading into this weekend's finale, he is second in the standings and only 12 behind championship leader Norris.