Backing Norris: McLaren’s Dilemma Amid Italian GP Drama and Red Bull’s Downfall

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

Key discussions after an eventful Italian Grand Prix highlight McLaren's hesitance to fully support Lando Norris.

Support for Norris is crucial

During the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more as they squandered yet another chance at securing a Formula One victory.

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

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

This marks the fourth lost chance for McLaren to secure a win, following similar situations in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategy choices could have made a difference.

Nonetheless, McLaren's most urgent concern is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship – and deciding if they should support him at this stage.

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

McLaren's strong performance, compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the leadership team at Woking to support Norris in his pursuit of this year's world championship.

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

Speaking to the press at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, Stella stated, "We must now recognize that winning not only the constructor's championship is within our reach."

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

"In order to aim for 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 the victory at Monza if he had committed to a one-stop strategy.

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

However, considering the real chance of Norris clinching the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed this with straightforward pre-race guidelines on behavior after the initial set of corners.

Nonetheless, Norris cannot be exempt from criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate an easy pass.

Clearly, the team must decide on a strategy starting with the Azerbaijan race, but Norris should avoid motivating Piastri (as he did in Hungary) to disrupt his championship ambitions.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all displayed a cutthroat attitude towards their teammates when necessary. Now, it’s Norris’s turn to adopt the same approach.

More than just a ‘qualifying expert’

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

Despite initially voicing concerns about being outpaced by Norris, Leclerc excelled in managing his tyres once he had clear track after both McLarens made their second pit stops. This impressive performance allowed him to hold on and secure a heartfelt victory.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently criticized for being only good at qualifying, earning the nickname ‘quali merchant’. He was known for his exceptional speed during the qualifying sessions on Saturdays, often securing the pole position, but then failing to maintain that performance during the races.

This year's Ferrari boasts improved balance and a more neutral approach to tyre management, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skills in tyre preservation during Sunday races.

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, with Verstappen ending 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 is astonishing to see them now finishing a race weekend as merely the fourth-best team.

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

Brawn GP transitioned from being leading race winners to a state similar to Red Bull's current position, primarily due to financial constraints and limited development.

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

The concerning aspect for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with a recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not predicted to favor the RB20, Red Bull might face further challenges.

New Audi leader witnesses challenges firsthand

New Audi head Mattia Binotto attended the Sauber garage during this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

This is the initial occasion we've 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, taking on the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will become the team principal once he transitions from Red Bull.

The Italian faces a daunting task as Sauber is currently at the bottom of the constructors’ championship standings.

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

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu secured the last positions on the grid, making their team the slowest in the race without any competition.

In a conversation with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "It's not within our budget. Our objective is to transform this team into a championship-winning squad. The path to achieving that is by making consistent progress and advancing steadily. We need to build our strength and capabilities for future success."

"Absolutely, I believe we need to make improvements. This is crucial for us personally, for the team, for the brand, and for our partners. We cannot be satisfied with our current standing."

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