Backing Norris: McLaren’s Strategic Dilemma and F1 Championship Hopes After Dramatic Italian GP

McLaren must support Lando Norris – but he must also improve individually

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

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McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix, where they squandered yet another opportunity to win a Formula 1 race.

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 conservative strategy proved costly as they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc at the helm, chose a single-stop approach and ended up securing a victory on their home turf.

This marks the fourth time McLaren has missed out on a potential win, following similar situations in Canada, Britain, and perhaps Belgium, where improved strategic choices could have secured their victory.

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

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

McLaren's strong performance, compared to the struggles faced by Red Bull, should encourage the top brass at the Woking-based team to support Norris in his bid for this year's world championship.

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

During a media briefing at Monza, which Crash.net attended, he stated, "We must now recognize that the constructors' championship is within reach," Stella mentioned.

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

"In order to win both championships, we need to ensure that the team and Lando are in the best possible shape to compete."

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri should not be faulted for his conduct during the 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 followed a one-stop strategy.

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

However, considering the chance that Norris might actually win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have managed this with a straightforward directive about behavior after the initial series of corners.

Nevertheless, Norris deserves some criticism for his lackluster defense against Piastri, which essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

Certainly, the team must make a choice starting from Azerbaijan, but Norris should cease providing Piastri with reasons (as seen in Hungary) to disrupt his championship bid.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all displayed a fierce competitiveness towards their teammates when necessary. It's now time for Norris to adopt a similar approach.

Beyond just being a 'qualifying specialist'

Leclerc has consistently delivered strong performances on race days during the 2024 season, and his showing at Monza was no exception.

Despite his initial complaints about being undercut by Norris, Leclerc skillfully managed his tires once he had clear air after the two McLarens pitted for their second stops. This allowed him to hold on and achieve a heartfelt victory.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently described as a 'qualifying specialist' or someone with only one strong skill because of his remarkable speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position but then struggled to maintain that performance during the race.

This year’s Ferrari has improved balance and neutrality in handling its tires, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skills in tire management during races on Sundays.

Leclerc has proven himself to be a versatile driver who is sure to challenge Hamilton significantly in the coming year.

Unprecedented Setback for Red Bull

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

Considering their strong performance at the beginning of the season, where they led the first few races, it's astonishing that they are now finishing a race weekend as the fourth-best team.

This level of decline in performance has never been seen before.

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

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

Concerns are rising for Red Bull as McLaren's car has seen enhancements following their latest upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are anticipated to be unfavorable for the RB20, Red Bull might be facing further challenges ahead.

New Audi CEO Witnesses Challenges Firsthand

The new head of Audi, Mattia Binotto, attended the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, observing from the Sauber garage.

This marks the initial occasion we have observed the ex-Ferrari leader 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 tremendous challenge as Sauber is currently at the bottom of the constructors' championship standings.

Sauber has not managed to secure a spot in the top 10 during the 2024 season, and their performance at Monza was no different.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu occupied the last positions on the grid, being the team with the slowest performance during the race.

Binotto conveyed to Motorsport.com that the team is not in a position to bear such costs. He emphasized that their goal is to evolve into a victorious team. The path to achieving this is through continuous improvement and advancement. He asserted that they must build their strength for future challenges.

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. This is crucial for us individually, for the team as a whole, for our brand, and for our partners. We cannot be satisfied with our current situation."

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