McLaren pull clear as mad Max pays penalty

PIASTRI AND NORRIS KEEP COOL TO RULE

- By 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 trouble after he lost his head and slammed into George Russell, right, landing a penalty that resulted in him leaving Barcelona with just one point.

McLaren 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 - I didn’t quite have the pace to match him.