McLaren must back Lando 100pc or risk title debacle

Sunday, another calamity - this time the decision to bring neither Piastri nor Norris in for a cheap pit stop during an early safety car.

- BY DANIEL MOXON

IT WAS no surprise to hear McLaren boss Andrea Stella insisting they still refuse to prioritise one driver over the other in the Formula One title race.

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

Because McLaren will never live it down if neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri become world No.1.

Max Verstappen is one of sport's true juggernauts and, under most circumstances, losing out to the Dutchman is nothing to be embarrassed about. But two weeks ago he was a rank outsider, 49 points adrift with three rounds left.