Backing Norris: McLaren’s Crucial Decision and Lando’s Path to F1 Glory Amid Italian GP Drama

McLaren should support Lando Norris more, but he also has to step up

Analyzing the key discussions after an eventful Italian Grand Prix, spotlighting 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 opportunity for an F1 race win.

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

McLaren's conservative tactics proved costly when they opted for a two-stop strategy, while Ferrari chose a one-stop plan for Charles Leclerc, who ultimately secured a victory in their home race.

This marks the fourth instance, following races in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where McLaren could have secured a victory if their strategic choices had been more effective.

Nonetheless, a more urgent concern for McLaren is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship and determining if now is the moment to fully support him.

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

McLaren's strong performance, compared to Red Bull's struggles, ought to inspire the senior leaders 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 considering taking that action.

While speaking to the media at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, Stella stated, "We must now recognize that winning the constructors' championship is within our reach."

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

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

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

His move on Norris was impressive and assertive, and it could 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 go against the team's pre-race directives.

Nonetheless, 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 with straightforward pre-race guidance on behavior after the initial corners.

Nevertheless, Norris himself deserves some criticism for his feeble defense against Piastri, as he essentially left an opportunity for his teammate to overtake him.

Undoubtedly, the team must decide on a course of action starting from 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 Max Verstappen did not hold back when competing against their teammates. Now, it's time for Lando Norris to adopt the same approach.

More than just a master of qualifying, Leclerc has been delivering impressive race-day performances throughout 2024, with Monza being a prime example.

Despite initially expressing frustration about being hindered by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tyres after both McLaren cars pitted for their second stops, ultimately holding on for an emotional win.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently criticized and called a 'qualifying specialist' or a one-dimensional driver because of his exceptional speed during Saturday's qualifying sessions, where he often secured pole position, only to lose ground during the actual race.

This year’s Ferrari has improved its balance and neutrality in tire management, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his exceptional skill in tire preservation on race days, proving he is among the elite.

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

Red Bull's struggles persisted at the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen managed to secure only sixth place, trailing Leclerc by more than 35 seconds.

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

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

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

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

A concerning development for Red Bull is McLaren's recent enhancement of their vehicle following the Dutch Grand Prix upgrade. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are anticipated to be unfavorable for the RB20, Red Bull may face further challenges ahead.

New Audi CEO witnesses challenges firsthand

New Audi leader Mattia Binotto attended the Sauber team garage during the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

This marks the first occasion we have observed the ex-Ferrari leader participating with the Hinwil team following 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 work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will become the team principal after transitioning from his current position at Red Bull.

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

Sauber has not managed to secure a top 10 finish in 2024, and their performance at Monza did not show any improvement.

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

Binotto conveyed to Motorsport.com that the team doesn't have the luxury of time to waste. He emphasized that the goal is to transform the team into a victorious one in the future. To achieve this, they must start making advancements now and continually improve. He highlighted the importance of building strength and preparing for future challenges.

"Absolutely, I believe improvement is necessary. It's crucial for our personal growth, essential for the team, vital for the brand, and significant for our partners. We just can't settle for where we are right now."

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