Critically for Norris, though, both Piastri and Verstappen head into the Monaco Grand Prix in fine form. The 25-year-old has scored just one race victory this season, and none since round one in Australia. Poor qualifying performances have left the Brit with too much to do on Sundays, and this has damaged his standing in the paddock.

Ex- F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Oscar Piastri ’s quiet confidence in the post-race cooldown room is a calculated message to teammate Lando Norris: “I’m better than you.” Piastri and Norris are the main protagonists in this year’s F1 title race.

McLaren’s Andrea Stella believed there was no scenario to beat Max Verstappen in Imola once the Dutchman had pulled off the lap 1 overtake. Late in the race, Lando Norris was on fresh tyres behind Oscar Piastri but McLaren declined to swap their drivers,