**”Backing Norris: McLaren’s Strategic Dilemma and the Race for the Championship”**

McLaren should support Lando Norris, yet he must also step up his own efforts

An analysis of the key discussions after an eventful Italian Grand Prix, highlighting 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 chance to secure a Formula 1 win.

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

McLaren's conservative tactics proved costly as they opted for a two-stop pit strategy, while Ferrari chose a single-stop plan with Charles Leclerc, who ended up clinching victory in a race held on their home turf.

This marks the fourth missed chance for McLaren, following Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategic choices could have led to a victory.

Nevertheless, McLaren's immediate concern is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship and whether it is the right moment to support him fully.

With eight races left in the season, Norris trails Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers’ standings. Considering the current performance trends of both teams, the British racer has a strong opportunity to win the championship this year.

McLaren's strong performance, compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the senior management at Woking 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 press event in Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, he stated, "We must now recognize that the constructors' championship is within reach," Stella commented.

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

“To compete for both championships, we must ensure that the team and Lando are in optimal condition.”

Reflecting on the events of the first lap, Piastri should not face any blame for his actions during the close racing with Norris.

His move on Norris was impressive and bold, 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, he did not violate the team's pre-race guidelines.

Considering Norris's potential to win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have managed it easily with straightforward pre-race guidelines on behavior after the initial corners.

Nonetheless, Norris also deserves to be criticized for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

Clearly, the team must make a decision starting from Azerbaijan, but Norris must refrain from giving Piastri any motivation (as happened in Hungary) to disrupt his quest for the championship.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen were all known for their relentless approach towards their teammates when necessary – now, it’s Norris’s turn to adopt the same attitude.

More than just a 'qualifying expert'

Leclerc consistently delivers impressive race day performances in 2024, with Monza being a prime example.

Despite his initial complaints about being overtaken by Norris, Leclerc skillfully managed his tires after the two McLaren drivers pitted for their second stops, ultimately securing an emotional victory.

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

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

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

Historic decline for Red Bull

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

Considering their strong start to the season, where they dominated the first few races, it's puzzling to see them now finishing a race weekend as the fourth-best team.

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

Brawn GP's transition from leading race victors to a status akin to Red Bull's current position was primarily due to financial constraints and limited advancements.

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

The concerning issue for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle following a recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming tracks like Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, Red Bull is likely facing additional challenges ahead.

New Audi CEO witnesses challenges firsthand

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

This marks the initial occasion we've observed the ex-Ferrari chief 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, working alongside Jonathan Wheatley. Wheatley will take on the role of team principal once he makes the move from Red Bull.

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

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

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

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We can't allow ourselves to lag behind. This team needs to evolve into a winning team in the future. To achieve that, we must start making strides and advancing. We need to prepare and strengthen ourselves for what's ahead."

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. This is crucial for our personal growth, the team's success, the brand's reputation, and our partners' satisfaction. We cannot be content with where we currently stand."

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