McLaren Zak Brown has highlighted the threat Max Verstappen poses to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's quest to secure a maiden title.
The championship battle for much of the year has been between the two McLaren drivers, with the Woking-based squad winning 12 out of the 17 races staged.
While it still holds a healthy margin over Verstappen, the Dutchman has won the last two races.
It has started speculation Verstappen could become a late contender in the fight, with seven rounds remaining in the season.
Assessing the four-time champion's role in the current battle, Brown labelled Verstappen a “disruptor” in McLaren's strong campaign.
“I think you have got to pay attention to Max,” Brown added, speaking to Bloomberg.
“We have got to keep doing what we're doing. The constructors’ is looking very good. We had a chance to wrap it up in Baku, but let's not talk back at Baku.
“Hopefully we can get the job done in Singapore.”
McLaren has consistently highlighted its primary desire to provide equal opportunities to both of its drivers, but acknowledged the challenges in doing so.
Brown pointed to Norris' power unit-related DNF in the Netherlands as an example of being unable to control every aspect of the fight.
“What we want to do is we want our two drivers and Max - but we'd like to kind of get him out of there - to fight for the championship and just give them equal opportunity, equal equipment, which is what we're doing,” he said.
“May the best man win. That's what we want to do. We’d like to not play a role, if at all possible.
“Lando had a mechanical [failure, at Zandvoort] and things can happen, safety cars and things of that nature.
“Our goal is to just set Lando and Oscar up to be competing for the championship down to Abu Dhabi, and may the best driver win.”
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