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Lewis Hamilton has alerted McLaren’s drivers in the title fight, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, about Max Verstappen’s “cut-throat” approach as these three drivers enter the final five races of the championship.

The Australian driver currently leads the drivers’ standings by 14 points clear from his teammate Norris, while Verstappen sits 40 points from the top on the back of strong recent results in the last four Grands Prix.

The Mercedes veteran, who engaged in a heated title fight with Verstappen in 2021, said: “In such a situation it’s tough, expectations are immense. This is when you have to focus entirely and shut out everything from external sources.

“You have to be uncompromising and this describes Verstappen is, he is going to snatch this from them if they fail to do the same.

“It takes deep resolve to hold off someone like Max and the Red Bull vehicle. Additionally for the McLaren drivers to come out ahead, consistency is key, and this has been evident with Verstappen over recent weekends.”

The seven-time champion said that Verstappen was in the most comfortable position as the driver in pursuit. He was trailing by 104 points of Piastri following the event in the Netherlands at the end of August.

“We see three highly skilled racers and I’m unsure how they're going to behave,” he stated.

“Verstappen has claimed the title on four occasions so he is aware of what it's like and occupying the pursuing role is considerably less stressful than being the defender.

“When you're in the lead and someone is chopping away, that plays on you rather than if you're chasing and you have nothing to lose. When leading all is on the line.”

George Russell, victorious in Singapore two races ago, remarked: “Piastri and Norris have the fastest car so the title is in their hands. But Max and Red Bull are delivering excellent work so you can never discount them.

“There were indications of strong speed early in the season but they lacked consistency, however, lately consistently they are excelling.”

Level Playing Field at the McLaren Team

The teammates approach the season’s end able to compete openly with each other and without team restrictions hanging over them – aside from steering clear of incidents with one another.

Lando had been facing potential penalties post-incident with his teammate while taking the final podium spot from him on the opening lap in the Singapore GP.

Post-collision involving both drivers in the sprint event at Austin last weekend, these have now been removed.

“There is a degree of responsibility on my part in the sprint and we begin this round within a clean slate for the pair, simply heading out and going racing,” commented the Australian.

The Australian, who won Zandvoort, has witnessed his advantage shrink after being beaten by his teammate in the last four events, but he noted it surprised him Max had joined the fight so quickly.

“The streak Max has displayed after the Italian GP has been a bit of a surprise,” he explained.

“There were moments earlier in the season but there were likewise some pretty big dips. Everyone is aware they have been throwing a lot of things on the RB19 aiming to enhance performance but he has come to the fight sooner than anticipated.”

Nonetheless, when asked whether he was worried over Verstappen’s form, Piastri said: “It's not really what I concentrate on. Max has been consistent and strong lately but there is no benefit in focusing on or dwelling on it.

“The key to me win the championship is extract the maximum from my driving, my machine, the team. He's there, he's in the fight but finally it has no effect on the way I handle my racing.”

Lando continued: “Max has had excellent results over the past weeks. Red Bull has been delivering a higher level than McLaren.

“Max has taken victory multiple Grands Prix and he is a champion. One would be foolish not to consider Max a threat.

“At the minute, they are in better form, in many events they have been quicker. However, opportunities remain. McLaren possesses the quicker machine from now until the end of the season and we need to capitalize on that.”

Max commented: “Certainly our form has been excellent, certainly enjoying this period like that and we intend to maintain this form forward. We are aware perfection is required until the finish to have a chance, but we simply aim to maximise everything and observe the final outcome.”

Pit Lane Incident ‘Entertaining’

Red Bull were penalized €50,000 after the Austin race, after one of their team members was present on the starting grid when the grid should have been empty while trying to clear the adhesive McLaren had put on the pit wall to guide Norris place his vehicle in the right place.

Norris said he viewed the event “quite funny, especially because I didn't even use the guide, which added to the humor”.

He stated: “It was there for assistance. It wasn’t necessary in Austin. It was known that they were doing it. {They tried to take tape off