Max back in the title mix says Norris

BEWARE VERSTAPPEN

- BY DANIEL MOXON

LANDO NORRIS insists McLaren won't have to favour Oscar Piastri's title charge despite admitting the genuine threat they face from Max Verstappen.

Piastri leads the championship by 25 points from Norris with seven rounds left in a season dominated by McLaren.

But back-to-back wins for Verstappen in his upgraded Red Bull in Monza and Baku have handed the Dutchman a lifeline in his quest for five titles in a row.

The odds remain long on an unlikely comeback with Verstappen, inset, still 69 points behind Piastri, but Norris refuses to count out the four-time champion.