Photo: Race Pictures

McLaren makes key changes to Norris and Piastri's cars ahead of Abu Dhabi

20:08, 03 Dec

byNorberto Mujica

McLaren has revealed it will show up for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with striking changes to their cars.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will drive around the 5.281km Yas Marina Circuit in completely new colours.

The Woking-based outfit has chosen to combine its usual papaya colours with a stealth twist, as they seek to knock Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen out of contention in the fight for the title and settle the matter among themselves under the lights at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Article continues below.

Stella reveals McLaren will not hesitate to use team orders

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has stated that the team will not refrain from issuing team orders to effect the fight for the Drivers' crown. However, he has clarified that the decision will involve both Norris and Piastri, although he did argue that the main objective would be to deny Verstappen's bid to clinch a consecutive fifth title.

Norris heads into Abu Dhabi holding the best cards as he only needs a P3 finish to emerge the victor. Nonetheless, Mercedes and Ferrari head into the race with their own scores to settle in Yas Marina, with two very different outlooks, as Ferrari seeks to avoid finishing the season without a win and Mercedes aims to seal P2 in the Constructors' championship, posing a threat to the title-defining battle in the final round of the championship.

Palou backs Verstappen

IndyCar champion Alex Palou, currently embroiled in a litigation with the McLaren F1 team, believes Verstappen could have clinched the title already had he been driving the papaya-coloured car. Read why here.

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