P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren have been told they may have to favour one driver in the F1 title battle as Max Verstappen closes in.
McLaren might have to prioritize Oscar Piastri over Lando Norris if Max Verstappen becomes a serious contender for the F1 title, according to 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve.
Verstappen’s recent strong performance in Azerbaijan Grand Prix reduced his deficit to Piastri from 104 to 69 points, putting McLaren in a tough spot.
Piastri’s crash and Norris finishing seventh allowed Verstappen to gain significant ground, leaving Piastri just 25 points ahead of Norris with seven races remaining.
Villeneuve believes McLaren might have to make Piastri their number one driver if the gap continues to narrow, shifting the championship fight to a tough external competitor.
Verstappen’s resurgence has Red Bull performing well under pressure while McLaren must cope with the looming threat, potentially altering their strategy in the title race.
