Backing Lando: McLaren’s Strategic Gamble and the Urgency for Norris to Step Up Amidst Italian GP Drama

McLaren must support Lando Norris now, though he also needs to step up his game.

Examining the key discussions after a thrilling Italian Grand Prix, attention turns to McLaren's hesitation in fully backing Lando Norris.

Support for Norris is crucial

McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix, squandering yet another chance at an F1 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 two pit stops, while Ferrari chose a single pit stop with Charles Leclerc, who went on to secure victory in their home race.

This marks the fourth lost chance for McLaren, following similar scenarios in Canada, Britain, and possibly Belgium, where improved strategy choices could have led to a win.

The more urgent concern for McLaren is Norris’ quest for the drivers’ championship and deciding if they should support him now.

With eight races remaining, Norris is only 62 points shy of Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings. Considering the current performance trends of the two competing teams, the British driver stands a strong chance of winning this year's championship title.

McLaren's strong performance, especially when compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the top executives at the Woking team to support Norris in his bid for this year's world championship.

Following the Monza event, it seems that team leader Andrea Stella is inclined to take this course of action.

While speaking to the media at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, he stated, "At this point, we must recognize that not only is the constructors' championship achievable," Stella remarked.

"Looking at it from the perspective of a driver, given our current car performance and the challenges Red Bull is facing, it is certainly achievable."

"In order to aim for both championships, we must ensure that both the team and Lando are well-prepared to compete."

Reflecting on the events of the first lap, Piastri's conduct during his close racing with Norris was commendable and beyond reproach.

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

Although Piastri's maneuvers allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, they did not go against the team's pre-race directives.

Nevertheless, considering the genuine chance that Norris could win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed it with straightforward pre-race guidelines about behavior during the initial corners.

Nevertheless, Norris should also face criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him without much resistance.

Undoubtedly, the team must decide on a course of action starting with the Azerbaijan race. However, Norris needs to avoid providing Piastri with reasons, as he did in Hungary, to disrupt his championship chase.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all displayed a relentless attitude towards their teammates when the situation called for it. Now, it’s time for Norris to adopt a similar approach.

More than just excelling in qualifying

Leclerc continues to deliver impressive performances on race days in 2024, with Monza being another example.

Despite his initial complaints about being undercut by Norris, Leclerc showcased excellent tyre management once he had clear air after the two McLaren drivers made their second pit stops. He held on to secure an emotional victory.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently described as a 'quali merchant' or someone with only one skill because of his exceptional speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position but then struggled to maintain that performance during the race.

This year's Ferrari has improved balance and a more neutral approach to handling its tyres, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skills in tyre management during race Sundays.

Leclerc has proven himself to be a versatile driver who is likely to pose a significant challenge to Hamilton in the coming year.

Red Bull's struggles persisted at the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen ended up in sixth place, trailing Leclerc by more than 35 seconds.

Considering their strong performance at the beginning of the season, where they excelled in the initial races, it's surprising to see them now finishing a race weekend as the fourth-best team.

A decrease in performance like this has never been seen before.

Brawn GP transitioned from being leading race victors to a status comparable to Red Bull's current standing. This shift was primarily due to insufficient funds and limited advancements.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary resources and team members to make a successful comeback.

A cause for concern for Red Bull is McLaren's recent enhancement of their vehicle through upgrades made at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are anticipated to be unfavorable for the RB20, Red Bull is likely to face continued challenges.

New Audi CEO Mattia Binotto experienced challenges firsthand while being in the Sauber garage during the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

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

Binotto is set to lead Audi's Formula 1 team in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will take on the position of team principal once he transitions from Red Bull.

The Italian faces a huge challenge as Sauber is currently at the bottom of the constructors' championship standings.

Sauber did not achieve a top 10 position at any race in 2024, and their performance at Monza was no exception.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu occupied the last positions on the starting grid and were clearly the slowest team during the race.

Binotto revealed to Motorsport.com that they cannot allow it. He emphasized that the team must evolve into a victorious one in the future. The only path to achieve this is by advancing and improving. He stated that they need to prepare and strengthen for what's ahead.

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. It's crucial for our own sake, for the team, for the brand, and for our partners. We cannot be satisfied with where we stand right now."

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