Backing Lando Norris: McLaren’s Crucial Decision Amidst Italian GP Drama and F1 Title Hopes

McLaren should support Lando Norris more, but he also needs to improve individually

Examining the key issues after an eventful Italian Grand Prix, particularly 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, squandering yet another chance to clinch an F1 race win.

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

McLaren's careful strategy proved to be a setback when they opted for two pit stops, while Ferrari chose a single pit stop with Charles Leclerc, leading to a victory in their home country.

This marks the fourth time McLaren has lost a chance to secure a win due to suboptimal strategy choices, following similar situations in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium.

The more urgent matter for McLaren is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship and deciding if they should support him at this point.

Norris trails Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers' championship with eight races left. Considering the current performance trends of their respective teams, the British driver stands a strong chance of clinching this year's title.

The remarkable performance of McLaren, especially when compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the top executives at the Woking-based team to support Norris in his quest for this year's world championship title.

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

Speaking to the media at Monza, where Crash.net was in attendance, he stated, "We must now recognize that not only is the constructors' championship within reach," Stella mentioned.

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

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

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri should not be faulted for his actions during his side-by-side battle with Norris.

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

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

Nonetheless, considering the chance that Norris might genuinely win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed it with straightforward pre-race guidance on behavior after the initial corners.

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

There’s no question that the team must make a decision starting with the Azerbaijan race, but Norris must 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 necessary – now Norris must adopt the same approach.

Exceeding the label of a 'qualifying expert'

Leclerc has consistently delivered impressive performances on race days in 2024, and his showing at Monza was no exception.

Despite his initial complaints about being hindered by Norris, Leclerc showcased excellent tyre management once he had a clear track following the second pit stops for both McLaren cars, ultimately securing a heartfelt win.

In earlier times, Leclerc frequently earned the nickname of a 'quali merchant' or was seen as a one-trick pony because of his exceptional speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position, only to lose ground during the actual race.

This year's Ferrari has improved balance and a more neutral approach to handling its tyres, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his skill in tyre management during races, proving he is among the top performers.

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

Red Bull's struggle persisted at the Italian Grand Prix, 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 first few races, it's perplexing that they are now finishing a race weekend as only the fourth-best team.

There has never been such a significant decline in performance.

Brawn GP transitioned from being dominant race winners to a position similar to Red Bull's current standing, primarily due to insufficient funds and development.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary resources and staff to improve the situation.

The concerning aspect for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with their latest upgrade for the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming tracks such as Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, Red Bull might face further challenges ahead.

New Audi CEO Mattia Binotto experienced challenges firsthand at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, observing from the Sauber team's garage.

This marks the initial appearance of the ex-Ferrari leader 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, working alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will take on the position of team principal once he transitions from Red Bull.

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

Sauber hasn't managed to secure a top 10 position at any race in 2024, and the Monza event 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.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We don't have the luxury of time. This team needs to evolve into a championship-winning team in the future. To achieve that, we must start advancing and improving now. It's essential to build our strength for the challenges ahead."

"Therefore, I believe it's crucial for us to make improvements. This is significant for our own sake, for the team's success, for the brand's reputation, and for our partners. We cannot be content with where we currently stand."

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