Backing Lando Norris: McLaren’s Strategy Debacle and the Path to Championship Glory

McLaren needs to support Lando Norris – but he has to step up

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

Support for Norris is due

McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more during the Italian Grand Prix, squandering another chance at an F1 race win.

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 tactics backfired as they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari chose a single-stop strategy for Charles Leclerc, leading him to victory in a race held in their own country.

This marks the fourth lost chance for McLaren, following previous instances in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategic choices could have led them to victory.

The more urgent concern 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 remaining. Considering the current form of the two competing teams, the British driver stands a strong chance of clinching this year's title.

McLaren's strong performance compared to Red Bull's challenges should inspire the senior leaders in Woking to support Norris for this year's world championship.

Following the Monza event, it seems that team leader Andrea Stella is inclined to proceed in that direction.

During a press briefing at Monza, where Crash.net was in attendance, he stated, "We must now recognize that not only is the constructors' championship within reach," Stella remarked.

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

"In order to secure both championships, we must ensure that the team and Lando are in optimal condition."

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri shouldn't be faulted for his actions during the close racing with Norris.

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

Although Piastri's move allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, it was in line with the team's pre-race guidelines.

However, considering the chance that Norris might actually win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed this by giving clear pre-race instructions on behavior after the initial series of corners.

Nevertheless, Norris also deserves criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate an easy pass.

Certainly, the team must make a decision starting from the Azerbaijan event, but Norris must cease providing Piastri with reasons (as he did in Hungary) to disrupt his quest for the title.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen have all shown a fierce competitive edge against their teammates when necessary; now it's time for Lando Norris to adopt this same approach.

Not Just a 'Qualification Specialist'

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

Despite his initial grievances about being overtaken by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tyres once he had open track after the two McLarens made their second pit stops. This allowed him to secure a heartfelt win.

In earlier times, Leclerc was frequently criticized as a 'qualifying specialist' or someone with limited skills, because he often excelled in securing pole position during Saturday's qualifying sessions but struggled to maintain that performance during the race.

This year’s Ferrari has improved its balance and neutrality in managing its tyres, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skill in tyre conservation during Sunday races.

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

Unexpected Decline for Red Bull

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

Considering their strong performance at the beginning of the season, where they dominated the initial races, it is perplexing to see them finish a race weekend now as only the fourth-best team.

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

Though Brawn GP initially dominated races, they eventually found themselves in a situation comparable to Red Bull's current one. This shift was primarily due to insufficient funding and stalled development.

Red Bull possesses the necessary resources and staff to reverse their situation.

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

New Audi CEO Mattia Binotto observed the challenges firsthand from the Sauber garage during this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

This marks the initial occasion we've observed the ex-Ferrari leader engaging with the Hinwil team since his announcement in July.

Binotto is set to lead Audi's Formula 1 team as both the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will become the team principal once he transitions from his current role at Red Bull.

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

Sauber has not managed to secure a top 10 position in 2024, and their performance at Monza continued this trend.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu occupied the last positions on the starting grid, making their team the slowest in the race.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We don't have the luxury of time. Our goal is to transform this team into a championship-winning squad in the future. The path to achieving that is by consistently improving and advancing. We must start building our strength and skills now for what lies ahead."

"Absolutely, we must make improvements. This is essential for our own benefit, for the team's success, for the brand's reputation, and for our partners. Staying in our current situation is not an option."

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