Overview
- Lando Norris leads Max Verstappen by 12 points, with Oscar Piastri a further four back, leaving all three still in title contention.
- McLaren says it will issue team orders if required to maximise its drivers’ title chances, and CEO Zak Brown insists both Norris and Piastri will comply.
- After topping both Friday practice sessions, Norris underlined a McLaren pace edge, while Piastri was 11th after missing FP1 for a rookie run; George Russell was third.
- Red Bull acknowledged understeer and higher tyre wear relative to McLaren after practice, even as both teams publicly pledged a clean, hard fight.
- Brown dismissed Australian senator Matt Canavan’s claim that McLaren favours Norris over Piastri, calling the allegation uninformed and defending the team’s fairness.