MAX FACTOR WON'T SLOW DOWN LANDO

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

- BY DANIEL MOXON

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 (below) still 69 points behind Piastri, but Norris refuses to count the fourtime champion out.

The Brit said: "He is genuinely a challenger. I expect him to be quick for many of the races this season.