Formula 1: McLaren heads into Azerbaijan Grand Prix on verge of constructors’ title
Team of drivers championship leaders Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris could retain their title in Baku with a record seven races still to go
The Formula 1 title race is heating up, and McLaren’s golden rule – “Let ’em race” – risks expanding into a whole rule book.
Asking Oscar Piastri to give up second place to Lando Norris at the Italian Grand Prix because of a slow pit stop showed how McLaren’s seemingly simple approach risked being bogged down in debates about what is fair on track.
The battle between Norris and Piastri will become McLaren’s sole focus if the team can wrap up the constructors’ title on Sunday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, with a record seven races remaining.
McLaren lead by 337 points and will take the title if one driver wins and the other is second or third, ending the faint mathematical chances of Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.
It is a big contrast to last year, when McLaren held off Ferrari in the final race of the season to win the constructors’ title for the first time in 26 years. “It’s a pretty remarkable position that we’re in,” Piastri said. “A very proud moment for everybody, myself included.”
