Critically for Norris, though, both Piastri and Verstappen head into the Monaco Grand Prix in fine form. The 25-year-old has scored just one race victory this season, and none since round one in Australia. Poor qualifying performances have left the Brit with too much to do on Sundays, and this has damaged his standing in the paddock.

McLaren’s Andrea Stella believed there was no scenario to beat Max Verstappen in Imola once the Dutchman had pulled off the lap 1 overtake. Late in the race, Lando Norris was on fresh tyres behind Oscar Piastri but McLaren declined to swap their drivers,

Oscar Piastri has won four of six races with McLaren this season and is on a streak of three wins in a row ahead of Sunday's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.