Backing Lando Norris: McLaren’s Strategy Dilemma and the Path to F1 Glory

McLaren Should Support Lando Norris More, But He Also Needs to Step Up

Examining the key highlights from an eventful Italian Grand Prix, with particular attention on McLaren's hesitance to fully support Lando Norris.

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McLaren found themselves in the spotlight again at the Italian Grand Prix, where they squandered yet another chance at an F1 victory.

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

McLaren's conservative tactics proved detrimental when they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari and Charles Leclerc chose a one-stop strategy, leading to a victory in their home race.

This marks the fourth missed chance for McLaren, following races in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategic choices might have secured a victory.

The more urgent concern for McLaren at the moment is Norris's quest for the drivers' championship and deciding if it's the right time to fully support him.

With eight rounds remaining, Norris trails Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers' championship. Considering the current form of both teams, the British driver has a strong opportunity to clinch this year's title.

The strong 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 bid for this year's world championship.

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

At a media briefing in Monza, where Crash.net was in attendance, he stated, "We must now recognize that winning the constructor championship is within reach," Stella added.

"Considering the current performance of our car and the challenges Red Bull is facing, it seems entirely feasible from a driver's perspective."

"In order to aim for both championships, it's essential to ensure that both the team and Lando are in a position to compete effectively."

Reflecting on the first lap, it's clear that Piastri should not be faulted for his actions during his close-quarters battle with Norris.

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

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

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

Nonetheless, Norris cannot be exempted from criticism either, as his poor defense against Piastri essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

It’s clear that from the Azerbaijan race onward, the team must reach a decision. However, Norris should avoid providing Piastri with reasons to disrupt his championship campaign, as happened in Hungary.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen have shown no mercy towards their teammates when the situation called for it. Now, it's time for Lando Norris to adopt the same approach.

More than just a qualifying expert

Leclerc has consistently delivered strong performances on race days in 2024, and Monza was no exception.

Despite initially expressing frustration over being outpaced by Norris, Leclerc demonstrated exceptional tyre management after receiving clear track space during the second round of pit stops for the two McLaren cars. Ultimately, he secured a heartfelt win.

Historically, Leclerc frequently received the nickname 'quali merchant' or was deemed a one-trick pony 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 actual race.

Thanks to the improved balance and neutrality of this year’s Ferrari in managing its tyres, Leclerc has demonstrated on Sundays that his skills in tyre conservation are on par with the top drivers.

Leclerc has proven himself to be a versatile driver who will undoubtedly challenge Hamilton significantly in the upcoming year.

Red Bull's Struggles Continue

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 surprising to see them now finishing a race weekend as only the fourth-best team.

A decline in performance of this magnitude has never been seen before.

Brawn GP, once a leading force in racing, found themselves in a situation comparable to Red Bull's current standing, primarily due to insufficient funds and limited advancements.

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

The concerning issue for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle following their latest upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, Red Bull may face further challenges ahead.

New Audi CEO Mattia Binotto witnessed challenges firsthand while attending the Italian Grand Prix from the Sauber team's garage this past weekend.

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

Binotto is set to lead Audi’s Formula 1 team, taking on the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will be working alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will become the team principal after his future move from Red Bull.

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

Sauber has not achieved a top 10 placement in 2024, and their performance at Monza did not improve their record.

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

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "It's not within our budget. Our aim is to transform this team into a victorious one in the future. To achieve that, we must begin making improvements and advancements now. We need to build our strength for what's ahead."

"Therefore, I believe it is crucial for us to make improvements. This is significant for our personal growth, for the team's success, for the brand's reputation, and for our partners. We cannot be content with our current standing."

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