As both Formula 1 championship trophies make their way from McLaren‘s home base in Woking to Mercedes’ headquarters in Brackley, the McLaren duo faces a gruelling fight to salvage third place in the constructors’ championship.

Currently, the fight between Red Bull and McLaren is Oscar Piastri’s main focus out of Brazil, where his teammate fight off a charging Max Verstappen to take McLaren’s first victory since the Dutch Grand Prix in August.

Lando Norris won the Brazil GP.  Buda Mendes

McLaren currently trails Red Bull by just 17 points.

Both teams sit on three wins apiece – thanks to Verstappen and Lando Norris – but Red Bull’s 15 podiums to McLaren’s eight paint a vastly different picture of the season, as do the drivers’ standings.

Although Norris and Piastri sit next to each other in sixth and seventh in the drivers’ championship, a vast gulf in points separates the teammates.

Norris boasts 246 points to Piastri’s 152, nearly a 100-point advantage over the Australian.

Piastri now finds himself in a precarious position, with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar lurking in his mirrors.

Hadjar is just 30 points adrift of the Aussie and ready to pounce after sharing the podium in Brazil with race-winner Norris and his Red Bull teammate.

McLaren had aimed to make a significant leap forward in what has been a tough year, and a crucial set of aerodynamic updates ultimately propelled Norris to victory during a wet-weather masterclass at Interlagos.

At the front of the field, Mercedes has well and truly wrapped up the championships, picking up the constructors’ championship only a week after phenom Kimi Antonelli was crowned world champion.

Now, the rest of the grid is left fighting for the remaining honours.

With Ferrari comfortably holding second, Piastri has his sights locked on securing third place for McLaren in the constructors’ standings.

“Just keep learning and ultimately try and beat Red Bull in the constructors’ championship,” he said of his goals for the remainder of the season.

“That’s the big thing. It’s not going to be an easy task for sure, but I think it’s possible.

“I think the car took a step forward this weekend, so hopefully that keeps going for the last three races.”

In a positive note for McLaren, Norris’ triumph in Brazil has vaulted him right back into contention for the runner-up spot in the drivers’ championship.

With a maximum of three rounds remaining, the gap to second-placed Verstappen is just 33 points.

Isack Hadjar (right) is only thirty points behind Oscar Piastri.  Hector Vivas

While Norris currently leads his teammate across every statistical metric for 2026, Piastri has faced a uniquely steep learning curve. The Australian’s trademark smooth driving style hasn’t entirely meshed with the new era of engine regulations.

Finding a fix will require far more than simply braking harder, these power unit regulations are undoubtedly the most complex in F1 history, particularly when it comes to how and when electrical power is deployed.

Following Monday’s announcement of his split with long-time managers Mark and Ann Webber, Piastri will be determined not to bleed any further points in the final three races of 2026 as the financial stakes prove massive.

In 2025, the difference from third to fourth in the constructors’ championship represented a $14 million deficit for the lower team.

With Formula 1 becoming an increasingly lucrative business, that deficit is projected to approach a much-larger figure of $20m AUD in lost prize money for the 2026 season, making this final stretch a million dollar shootout.

F1 has three races left in Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.