'Nothing changes' – Norris states no McLaren team orders in title fight against Verstappen ahead of Mexico City GP

Lando Norris has dismissed suggestions that despite the ever-increasing threat posed by Max Verstappen, McLaren will employ team orders to favour either himself or Oscar Piastri in the title battle.

Norris enters the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend having closed to within 14 points of team mate Piastri, but neither driver has taken a victory in the last four Grands Prix.

In contrast, Verstappen has won three of the last four races on a Sunday and closed to within 40 points of Piastri with just five Grands Prix remaining.

With McLaren having secured back-to-back Constructors' titles in Singapore, Norris stated "nope" when asked on Thursday in Mexico if any team orders would be imposed to help secure the Drivers' title.

"Nothing changes. We want to win, we both want to win, and we know there are people around us. But I think we know how to work together, but also race against each other," he said.

“But I think we have the correct approach, so we’ll continue doing what we’re doing.”

Ahead of the US GP, it was revealed that Norris was facing "repercussions" following his opening lap overtake on Piastri in Singapore.

But ahead of the race in Mexico, the Australian stated that the punishment had since been removed and it was a "clean slate".

Norris has not won since the Hungarian GP back in August but has amassed more podiums than both Piastri and Verstappen with 15 from 19 races, and believes that he will face the title battle "head on" over the remaining races.

"I come into every race with the goal of wanting to win. We’ve not done that for a while, but I guess you look at it both ways," added Norris.

"One is have I still been doing a better job and scoring more points than the guy ahead of me? Yes. But have I been outscored by the one behind me? Also yes.

"There are good things and bad things, otherwise, just keep doing the job I’m doing. I feel like I’m getting a lot out of the car and, yeah, maybe not performing to perfection, which is always hard to do, especially in our car. But at the same time, I’m performing very well and consistently, and that’s also a good place to be."