McLaren have spent the 2025 season aiming for total fairness between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. At times, it has made them look silly and inflexible. It was, though, merely an intriguing subplot at a time when one of their drivers seemed destined to claim a maiden title.

So vast was their advantage in performance that Max Verstappen was 97 points behind Piastri and 86 behind Norris after the Hungarian Grand Prix in August.

Yet after McLaren’s double disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, combined with Verstappen’s rapid resurgence, they are now at risk of losing out on a first drivers’ title in 17 years to the brilliant Verstappen. To have the best chance of ending the Red Bull driver’s hopes, they must now favour Norris and sacrifice Piastri.

Australian Oscar Piastri has struggled to get points and podiums in the second half of the season.Credit: AP

Let me state now, there is zero chance of this happening. McLaren have gone to such lengths this year to maintain equity, and Piastri can still theoretically win the title. The team might also feel that it would give validation to the incorrect and ugly narrative that they have been favouring Norris all season.

But too many times McLaren have become entangled in their philosophy to their own detriment. They must avoid it costing them a title. For all that the........

© The Sydney Morning Herald