Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has claimed that it is not in McLaren's 'DNA' to prioritise Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri, something that is hurting their title fight against Red Bull.
McLaren are breathing down Red Bull's neck in the constructors' standings, sitting just eight points behind the reigning champions.
In the drivers' championship, Norris is 62 points adrift from Verstappen with just eight races remaining.
Zak Brown has refused to name a number 1 driver at the teamLando Norris is 62 points behind Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings
This means the Brit needs to reduce the deficit by eight points a race to claim his maiden F1 title and deny Verstappen from making it four in as many years.
Rosberg believes the team need to get to grips with the predicament they find themselves in if they are to try and win both titles.
Nico Rosberg won the F1 world drivers' championship in 2016
“First of all the situation is totally unexpected to them," he told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
"Their DNA of going racing has been, 'We go racing with two number ones and both have equal opportunity', and they certainly did not see this situation coming at all.
“They really have to now, it's a big learning process for them and big requirement to think a lot about it and see what the best approach is.
"But it goes against their DNA, because their DNA is two number one drivers, everybody has the same opportunity.”
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
GP CHINA
19 - 21 Apr
GP USA
3 - 5 May
GP ITALY
17 - 19 May
GP MONACO
24 - 26 May
GP CANADA
7 - 9 Jun
GP SPAIN
21 - 23 Jun
GP AUSTRIA
28 - 30 Jun
GP GREAT BRITAIN
5 - 7 Jul
GP HUNGARY
19 - 21 Jul
GP BELGIUM
26 - 28 Jul
GP NETHERLANDS
23 - 25 Aug
GP AZERBAIJAN
13 - 15 Sep
GP SINGAPORE
20 - 22 Sep
GP MEXICO
25 - 27 Oct
GP BRAZIL
1 - 3 Nov
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024 
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024 
Qatar Grand Prix 2024 
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024 
Innovatieweg 20C