Team title in hand, McLaren drivers get nod to race

With McLaren securing their second consecutive constructors' title at the Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix on Oct 5, fans will wait to see if the gloves will finally come off for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who are locked in a fierce battle for the drivers' championship.

- Kimberly Kwek Sports Correspondent

With six rounds remaining, Piastri leads the drivers' standings with 336 points, with Norris 22 adrift, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen is 63 behind in third.

As the title fight heats up, the action at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Oct 5 offered a glimpse of what might unfold. The teammates shared a tense moment on the opening lap after Norris, who started fifth, made contact with Piastri in the middle of Turn 3 as he overtook him.

That prompted Piastri to question the team over the radio: “So, are we cool with Lando just barging me out of the way?”

McLaren chief executive Zak Brown explained post-race that the moment was a “nail-biter”.

Praising his drivers, the American said: “They have driven brilliantly all season. You can’t win the constructors’ without two awesome racing drivers.

“As you can see, we are letting them race. That was a bit more of a nail-biter there, but they race hard, they race clean, they race to win.

“A lot of racing to go and hopefully a lot more victories for both of them.”