Overview

• Oscar Piastri holds a 10-point advantage over team-mate Lando Norris after nine races in the first all-McLaren fight atop the drivers’ standings
• Max Verstappen trails the McLaren duo by 49 points as Red Bull’s RB21 continues to lag behind the MCL39’s pace
• Andrea Stella praised both drivers for handling a ‘cheeky’ qualifying move professionally and has set the team ‘homework’ to prevent future misunderstandings
• Analysts warn Verstappen’s path to a fifth consecutive title is unlikely without significant McLaren errors, given the team’s resilience under new technical directives
• McLaren has secured seven wins in nine grands prix to build a commanding lead in the constructors’ championship