Formula 1 championship leader Oscar Piastri has said McLaren does not need to prioritise one driver over the other, as four-time world champion Max Verstappen continue to narrow the deficit to both.
Piastri has failed to finish on the podium in the previous three grands prix, accumulating just 22 points in that period.
His lead in the drivers' championship was 34 points over McLaren teammate Lando Norris heading into the Italian Grand Prix four rounds ago.
But Piastri's recent run of form has allowed Norris to close the margin to 14 points, with five rounds remaining in the championship.
While Norris remains his greatest threat, a surge from Verstappen has him back in contention to win a fifth consecutive drivers' championship.
Verstappen was 104 points adrift of Piastri heading into the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
But three victories and a second place in the next four grand prix, as well as a sprint race win during the United States Grand Prix weekend, have Verstappen now 40 points away from the Australian.
McLaren has been steadfast in 2025 that both Piastri and Norris would be given a fair chance to win the drivers' championship.
But Verstappen's charge has given him a realistic shot at spoiling McLaren's party.
When asked if McLaren needed to prioritise one of their drivers, following Verstappen's win in Austin, Piastri said he did not think that was necessary, especially with the gap between the two just 14 points.
"We're (Lando and Oscar) still so incredibly tight, and we've both said we wanted an opportunity to try and fight for the championship, because we deserve it," he said.
"I think it's far too close to start picking one over the other."
After McLaren dominated most of this season, Verstappen and Red Bull have turned the year on its head in the previous four weekends.
Verstappen has not only finished ahead of both McLarens in the previous four grands prix and one sprint race, but he has also out-qualified them.
There are five rounds left in the 2025 season, consisting of five grand prix and two sprint races.
There is a maximum of 141 points a driver can win for the rest of this season.
If Verstappen were to win the remaining five grands prix and two sprint races, he would finish ahead of Norris, no matter what the Briton did.
Piastri could still win the championship if Verstappen won every race, but would need to place second in all five grands prix and not lower than third in either sprint race.
F1 has a short turnaround for next weekend's action in Mexico City.
ABC Sport will have a live blog of the Mexico City Grand Prix from 5am, AEDT, on Monday, October 27.
