McLaren is sticking to its equal treatment policy despite the inroads Max Verstappen has made on Piastri's Formula 1 title lead

Oscar Piastri heads into the United States Grand Prix with something to prove. When he stood on top of the podium in Zandvoort, it looked like everything was finally falling into place for his first drivers’ championship.

Oscar Piastri leads the Formula 1 world championship with six races to go, but Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have closed in on the Australian's lead. Follow live.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have been told that McLaren are 'a long way' from enacting team orders to protect against Max Verstappen, who is closing in on the duo

Who's at the head of the pack in this year's Formula 1 driver standings? Not Max Verstappen? Not Lewis Hamilton. It's Oscar Piastri, F1's 24-year-old Australian sensation.

Oscar Piastri insisted his collision with teammate and title rival Lando Norris in Austin's sprint race was a racing incident.

Piastri was informed by race engineer Tom Stallard that McLaren were looking into it. The stewards were also busy noting the collision but elected against any action. Stallard was back on the intercom: “As a team we can see that Lando has to avoid Verstappen, so we won’t take any action during the race. We can review further afterwards.”

Andrea Stella has stated that McLaren are ‘a long way’ from prioritising Oscar Piastri over Lando Norris to get his maiden World Championship title over the line. From a comfortable position at the summer break, the duo are coming under increasing pressure from Max Verstappen.

George Russell's reaction to watching Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris' crash during the United States Grand Prix sprint race has emerged.