The Briton rules out that scenario, as Piastri, albeit less than the others, still has a shot at the title despite being 16 points behind his teammate and with Max Verstappen also in the mix.

“I don't think it's acceptable or reasonable to ask a driver who's also in a shot of a championship in the very last race to move over for your teammate,” he began.

Russell believes team orders would be perfectly acceptable in cases where the lead driver is clearly stronger than the other, as was the case with the Verstappen–Perez or Schumacher–Barrichello pairings in the past.

The Spanish driver was also asked who he would back to take the championship, with him seeing Norris as the favourite — not just because of his points advantage in the standings, but also because the final race takes place at a circuit where the Briton has consistently excelled.

Last year, Norris delivered a masterful performance that secured the constructors’ title for McLaren, edging out Sainz and Ferrari.