Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: McLaren, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Formula 1
Marcus Chan
McLaren have been tipped to make a ruthless decision involving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
For large parts of the 2025 Formula 1 season, it looked like the drivers' world title would be contested between Norris and Piastri.
Heading into the summer break, Piastri had a lead of more than 100 points over reigning champion Max Verstappen.
However, over the course of the last four race weekends, the Dutchman has managed to cut the gap to just 40 points.
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After winning both the sprint and the Grand Prix in Austin last time out, Verstappen is now firmly in the hunt for what would his fifth consecutive world championship.
At the same time, McLaren seem to be faltering, with both Norris and Piastri involved in controversial moments over the last two races.
Currently, Piastri sits top of the standings and is 14 points ahead of Norris.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, Sky Sports F1 lead commentator David Croft has raised the question that McLaren may have a decision to make.
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Croft stated that McLaren may have to prioritise one driver for the remainder of the campaign with Verstappen hot on their heels.
He said: "Do McLaren need to make a decision soon to prioritise one driver over the other to try and give them the best shot of winning a driver's title?
"I know that's really, really tricky. I spoke to Pat Symonds at Cadillac, and he said 'I probably won't do it ahead of Mexico, but if they have another weekend in Mexico like they just had here (Austin), you probably have to make a very harsh choice."
Croft added: "If it was any other team, I think they would be ruthless and I think they would say 'Guys, I know you want to win and I know we've given you this fair chance, but we need the silverware, we want the silverware. And this is our best way of doing it'."
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Following the United States Grand Prix in Austin, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was asked about Piastri's struggles.
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He said: "We are now in the process of checking that we are completely happy with the set-up of the car, the set-up of the floor, that everything is as intended from a car point of view, and at the same time we will be looking at the driving."
In response, one fan said: "Are we seriously questioning Oscar’s driving now?"
Another tweeted: "They are fully throwing Oscar under the bus."
A third fan added: ""Looking at the driving"? What does that mean?"