STELLA DRIVE

McLaren are flying at the top under chief Andrea... but new team orders move with Norris and Piastri is a concern with the title in sight

- BY DANIEL MOXON

McLAREN have left everyone in their slipstream this season, but they now face the biggest threat from themselves.

Because what was previously a remarkably easy-to-manage title fight between their two drivers has become a minefield.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have bucked the Formula One trend and remained friendly as title challengers with only each other to beat.

Their cooperation was on show at Monza last Sunday when Piastri, after a brief grumble on the radio, was entirely happy to let Norris pass and finish second ahead of him.

An order that was given by McLaren after a slow pit stop had dropped the Brit behind his title rival.

If they drove for different teams, Norris would have finished behind Piastri and it would have been chalked up to bad luck.