### “Backing Lando: McLaren’s Strategic Dilemma Amid Italian GP Drama and Red Bull’s Unprecedented Downfall

McLaren Must Support Lando Norris, but He Must Also Step Up

An analysis of key discussions after an eventful Italian Grand Prix, highlighting McLaren's hesitation to fully support Lando Norris.

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McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix after squandering yet another chance at a Formula 1 victory.

Oscar Piastri delivered an impressive performance at Monza, executing a bold pass on his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, and subsequently extending his lead to more than five seconds.

McLaren's careful strategy ended up costing them as they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari went with a one-stop approach for Charles Leclerc, who ultimately clinched victory in the race held in their home country.

This marks the fourth time that McLaren has squandered a winning chance, following previous missed opportunities in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, all due to poor strategy choices.

The more immediate concern for McLaren is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship and whether they should start supporting him at this point.

With eight races remaining in the season, Norris is trailing Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers' championship. Considering the current performance trends of their respective teams, the British driver has a strong opportunity to clinch this year's title.

The outstanding performance of McLaren, especially when compared to Red Bull’s struggles, is likely to encourage the top executives at the Woking-based team to support Norris in his bid for this year’s world championship.

Following the Monza event, it looks like team principal Andrea Stella is inclined to proceed in that direction.

During a media briefing at Monza, which Crash.net attended, he stated, "We must now recognize that achieving the constructors' championship is within reach," Stella mentioned.

"Considering the current performance of the car and the challenges Red Bull is facing, it is certainly achievable from a driver's perspective."

“To win both championships, we must ensure that the team and Lando are in the best possible shape.”

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri should not be faulted for his behavior during the close racing with Norris.

His move on Norris was impressive and assertive, and it would have secured him victory at Monza if he had opted for a one-stop strategy.

Although Piastri's maneuver allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, it did not violate the team's pre-race directives.

Nevertheless, considering the chance that Norris could realistically win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have managed this risk easily with a straightforward pre-race directive regarding behavior after the initial set of corners.

Nonetheless, Norris deserves some criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

It’s clear that the team must make a decision starting from the Azerbaijan race, but Norris should avoid providing Piastri with reasons (as he did in Hungary) to disrupt his championship quest.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all showed no mercy towards their teammates when necessary – now it's Norris's turn to adopt the same approach.

Beyond just a qualifying expert

Leclerc has been delivering impressive performances on race days in 2024, and Monza was no exception.

Despite initially expressing frustration about Norris gaining an advantage, Leclerc expertly managed his tires after the two McLarens pitted for their second stops, ultimately securing a heartfelt win.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently criticized as being exceptional only in qualifying sessions, earning him the nickname of a 'quali merchant.' His impressive speed on Saturdays often secured him the pole position, but he would then struggle to maintain that performance during the race.

Thanks to the improved balance and neutral handling of this year’s Ferrari, Leclerc has demonstrated exceptional skill in preserving tyres during Sunday races, proving he ranks among the top drivers in this aspect.

Leclerc has shown that he is a versatile driver who will undoubtedly challenge Hamilton significantly next year.

Red Bull's Struggles Persist

At the Italian Grand Prix, Red Bull faced further challenges as Verstappen ended up in sixth place, trailing Leclerc by more than 35 seconds.

Considering their strong start to the season, where they excelled in the initial races, it's astonishing to see them now finishing a race weekend as only the fourth-best team.

This level of decline in performance has never been seen before.

Brawn GP transitioned from being dominant race winners to a position comparable to Red Bull's current standing, primarily due to financial constraints and limited development.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary resources and staff to make improvements.

Concerns are mounting for Red Bull as McLaren's recent improvements to their car, showcased at the Dutch Grand Prix, have significantly boosted their performance. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, where the RB20 is not anticipated to perform well, Red Bull may face additional challenges.

New Audi leader experiences challenges firsthand

Audi’s new head, Mattia Binotto, attended the Sauber garage during this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

This marks the initial occasion we have observed the ex-Ferrari chief engaging with the Hinwil team following his announcement in July.

Binotto will lead Audi’s Formula 1 team as both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will take on the role of team principal once he transitions from his current position at Red Bull.

The Italian faces a monumental task, as Sauber is currently at the bottom of the constructors’ championship standings.

Sauber has not managed to secure a top 10 position in any race throughout 2024, and their performance at Monza did not improve.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu secured the last positions on the grid, making their team the slowest during the race.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We don't have the luxury of remaining stagnant. Our goal is to transform this team into a champion in the future. To achieve that, we must begin advancing and making progress. It's essential to start strengthening ourselves now for what lies ahead."

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. This is crucial for our own sake, for the team, for the brand, and for our partners. We can't be satisfied with where we currently stand."

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