McLaren handed F1 'homework' as Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris fight intensifies

McLaren boss Andrea Stella has praised Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris's "responsibility" for their on-track conduct, as he also handed the team some "homework" for the title fight. 

For the first time since Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in 2007, McLaren has two drivers with a realistic shot of landing the drivers' title, with Piastri currently 10 points clear of Norris after nine rounds. 

Max Verstappen is now 49 points behind the Australian, with the title fight set to be an all-McLaren affair to become the first champion driver since Hamilton's 2008 crown.

So far, Piastri and Norris have been cordial on track with no comings together, something Stella heaped praise on his drivers for, as he handed a round of homework to the team following the 'cheeky' comment Piastri made regarding Norris, who briefly snatched a tow during Spanish GP qualifying.

"The briefings are not getting tough, and the conversations are the same that we have always had," Stella told media, including RacingNews365. 

"When the two drivers start next to each other, and there is a long run to Turn 1, you might have to reiterate every detail of the way we go racing together, but so far, I can just be very grateful to Lando and to Oscar, who have appraoched this internal competition with a great sense of responsibility. 

"They are pretty much sticking to the letter of what our racing principles and approach. 

"We always tell our drivers: 'Don't leave anything in the back of your mind, anything, throw it out, and say what you think.' 

"We don't want to surprise our drivers with situations which we didn't discuss before, so we have to do some more homework and be even more ready for the coming races, which surely will be interesting."