McLaren risk 2007-style collapse by not naming No 1

More so than any of the three drivers battling for this year's unpredictable Formula 1 world championship, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella knows all too well the thrill and peril of a three-horse title race, as well as the seismic role Interlagos can play in deciding the eventual champion.

- KIERAN JACKSON

Eighteen years ago, the Italian boffin turned team boss was Kimi Raikkonen’s performance engineer at Ferrari in the 2007 season. Heading into the finale in Brazil, Lewis Hamilton (in his rookie year) had a four-point lead over arch-rival and McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso, with Raikkonen seven points off the pace.

Under a points structure which saw 10 points for the race winner down to one point for eighth place, it seemed inconceivable that Hamilton, let alone McLaren, could squander the drivers’ title. Lo and behold, Hamilton endured gearbox issues and could only finish seventh, while Alonso came home third. Raikkonen won the race and with it the championship, by one point to both Hamilton and Alonso. It was a haunting collapse.

Of course, Stella has switched sides and now impressively leads the papaya-clad team, who once again have two drivers vying for the title. While lacking the fierce animosity of Hamilton and Alonso’s partnership, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have notably squabbled in recent weeks amid the progressive intensity of their chase for a maiden title.