Oscar Piastri’s win last week at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix put McLaren top in the teams’ standings — the key to F1’s lavish prize money — but teammate Norris only took a small bite out of Verstappen’s lead.

Charles Leclerc took pole and led the first half of the race in Azerbaijan, while Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr won in Singapore last year. Both the Baku circuit and the Marina Bay layout suit Ferrari’s car best but McLaren have proven they have the pace to win on tracks which are far from tailor-made for the MCL38.

No one has been better than the 23-year-old Australian over the last seven races, but McLaren has made clear it will prioritize the placement of Lando Norris down the home stretch.