McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has issued a clear message to his drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris: elevate your game. This call to action comes amidst a backdrop of Max Verstappen's increasingly dominant performances in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Verstappen's recent surge has significantly tightened the championship race. He has closed the gap to Piastri, who leads the drivers' standings, to just 40 points. Norris is also in the mix, trailing his teammate Piastri by 14 points. The Red Bull driver's momentum, fueled by recent upgrades to his car, has made him a formidable contender.

Stella acknowledged Verstappen's prowess, stating, "We know that when Max has the material to win, he becomes a very serious candidate to win". He stressed that McLaren's focus remains on maximizing their own performance and executing strong race weekends.

McLaren's last victory was at the Dutch Grand Prix in August, with Piastri behind the wheel. Stella emphasized the opportunities ahead, saying, "The fact that there are five races and two sprints means that we can also increase the gap to Max". He expressed confidence in the upcoming tracks suiting their car and believes there's still untapped potential within their package.

Stella has also stated that the drivers themselves recognize that they could have performed better in previous races. He views the remaining races as opportunities to widen the gap over Verstappen.

The dynamic between Piastri and Norris has been a subject of discussion, particularly after a first-lap incident at the Singapore Grand Prix where Norris overtook Piastri. While McLaren secured the constructors' title at that race, the incident raised questions about team orders and driver prioritization.

Stella has confirmed that McLaren's "Papaya Rules," emphasizing fair racing and sportsmanship between the drivers, will remain in place. He reiterated the team's interest in ensuring both drivers can pursue their aspirations. However, he didn't rule out the possibility of favoring one driver later in the season if the mathematics dictate it, meaning if one driver is mathematically out of contention. He referenced past seasons, such as 2007 and 2010, where drivers who were not leading heading into the final race ultimately won the championship.

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner suggested McLaren should now favor Piastri, given his lead over Norris. He believes that with Verstappen's resurgence, McLaren can't afford to let their drivers continue battling each other.

Zak Brown, McLaren's boss, previously stated the team would continue to give both drivers equal opportunities to compete. However, the increasing threat from Verstappen may force a change in strategy as the season draws to a close.

Stella wants his drivers to focus on the "tight competition to win races" and the pursuit of the drivers' championship. He views this pressure as a natural part of Formula 1 and wants the team to embrace it with "maximum intensity and minimum stress".