McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has admitted it would be “difficult” for the team to ask Oscar Piastri to hand over the win to Lando Norris.

McLaren have committed to helping Norris close the 59-point gap to Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship with seven races remaining.

Piastri won the grand prix in his last outing in Baku, while Norris moved up to fourth after a difficult qualifying result saw him start outside the top 10.

Asked whether McLaren would be willing to swap drivers to decide the win, Brown said: “Ultimately, it would be Andrea [Stella]’s decision.

“I think it’s quite difficult to hand over the win in a race. So you have to look at the circumstances.

“We’ll take it race by race. I think it’s quite a big ask for a grand prix driver.”

Norris wants to win the right way

Norris has won two races this year, level with team-mate Piastri.

The Briton is favourite in the title race as he is closer to Verstappen in the standings – but Brown insists Norris does not want to be handed the win by Piastri.

“I think Lando wants to win the championship, if possible, in the right way,” he said.

“So I think we’ve still got a few races to go. I have to look at the circumstances – but I think if Oscar goes out and wins, I’m not sure Lando wants to inherit the win that way.

“Anything we can do to help Lando, we will do, and that’s a strategy.

“We don’t want to hurt Oscar’s results because he’s having a great season and he’s fighting his own battle.

“But if there is anything we can do to support Lando, we will.”