P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Andrea Stella has shared an update on McLaren’s driver preference after Max Verstappen capitalised on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s difficult Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas.
The McLaren team principal emphasized that the team is far from favoring Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris in the F1 drivers’ championship battle, with Max Verstappen emerging as a strong contender.
Despite McLaren’s strong start in the constructors’ race, Verstappen’s recent performances have brought him within 55 points of Piastri, starting the United States Grand Prix from pole position.
While Norris trails Piastri by 22 points, Verstappen’s victory in Austin, where the McLaren drivers retired after a collision, has intensified the pressure on the team.
The team remains committed to equal treatment for both drivers, with the principal affirming they are not considering prioritizing one driver as long as both have realistic chances of success.
Stella stressed the importance of allowing Piastri and Norris to pursue their championship ambitions until a clear decision point is reached, aiming for a world champion driver in a McLaren car.
