Hamilton Warns McLaren: Verstappen Closing In

Lewis Hamilton warned McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris they must become more "cut‑throat" and block outside noise to deny Max Verstappen the drivers' title. After 19 of 24 rounds, Piastri leads Norris by 14 points while Verstappen sits 40 adrift but has closed fast, winning three of the last four races and scoring 119 of 133 points across five rounds, including a dominant Austin weekend. Hamilton urged the pair to put their "blinkers up," push hard and maintain mental toughness. McLaren's challenge has been hampered by team mistakes and on-track collisions that have jeopardized their momentum and could hand advantage to Red Bull if repeated. The championship battle has intensified as the season nears its conclusion, with Hamilton largely a bystander this year at Ferrari.