Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen has stated McLaren is facing a “horrible” situation as the title fight reaches its final stages.
Lando Norris currently leads the championship following a dominant run to victory last time out in Mexico City.
The Briton holds a one-point advantage over team-mate Oscar Piastri, who has endured a more difficult stretch of form in recent rounds.
The pair are seen as the primary title protagonists, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen is viewed as an outside bet with a 36-point deficit to Norris.
Hakkinen, who won two F1 titles with McLaren, has praised the team's harmonious relationship amid the championship battle.
“Zak Brown, Andrea [Stella], really incredible,” Hakkinen told the High Performance podcast.
“They had to work so closely with drivers that they find a beautiful harmony towards the end of the season.”
Knowing there is a strong chance one of its drivers will win the title, it will leave the other immensely disappointed over the missed opportunity.
Hakkinen asserted it is a difficult scenario for any team to process.
“This is racing and one of these drivers, they can win a championship. It's a nightmare. It's an absolutely horrible situation inside the team.
“I don't mean [that] negatively. I just mean it is what it is.
“They have great partners, McLaren, they have great team members, the mechanics, engineers, marketing, designers. It's a beautiful team.
“You want this season to end in a perfect way and that's why I think Lando is already quite experienced about F1.
“Oscar is getting there. So I believe that they will find ways to end the season in a good way.”
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Sam Coop, Fergal Walsh and Nick Golding, as they look back on last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix. Lando Norris' crushing victory is a lead talking point, as is Max Verstappen keeping himself firmly in title contention.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
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