### “Backing Norris: McLaren’s Strategic Gamble and the Path to Championship Glory

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

Analyzing the key discussions after a thrilling Italian Grand Prix, highlighting McLaren's hesitation to fully support Lando Norris.

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McLaren found themselves in the spotlight yet again during the Italian Grand Prix, squandering another chance at a Formula 1 win.

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

McLaren's conservative strategy backfired when they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc, chose a one-stop approach and ended up securing a victory in their home race.

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

Nevertheless, a more urgent matter for McLaren is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship, raising the question of whether they should support him at this point.

Norris is trailing Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers' championship with eight races left. Considering the current performance trends of the two 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 top executives in Woking to support Norris in his pursuit of this year's world championship.

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

Speaking to the press at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, Stella remarked, "We must now recognize that not only is the constructor championship achievable."

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

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

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri's conduct during his close-quarters racing with Norris should not be faulted.

His move on Norris was impressive and bold, and it could have secured him the victory at Monza if he had committed to a one-stop strategy.

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

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

Nonetheless, Norris must also face criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially left an easy opportunity for his teammate to overtake him.

Clearly, the team must decide on a course of action starting with the Azerbaijan race. However, Norris must refrain from providing Piastri with reasons (as seen in Hungary) to disrupt his championship chase.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all showed no mercy towards their teammates when necessary – now it's Norris's turn to adopt the same approach.

Not Just a 'Qualifying Specialist'

Leclerc has been delivering impressive performances on race days throughout 2024, and his showing at Monza was no exception.

Although he initially expressed frustration about being overtaken by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tyres after the two McLarens pitted for their second stops. This strategic move allowed him to secure an emotional victory.

Previously, Leclerc frequently earned the reputation of being a 'qualifying specialist' or someone with only one skill because of his exceptional speed during Saturday's qualifying sessions, where he often secured pole position, but then struggled to maintain that performance during the race.

This year's Ferrari has improved balance and a more neutral approach to handling its tyres, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his exceptional skills in tyre preservation during races on Sundays.

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

Historic Red Bull Decline

The decline of Red Bull persisted at the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen ended up in sixth place, trailing Leclerc by more than 35 seconds by the race's conclusion.

Considering how they began the season by excelling in the first few races, it's surprising to see them now leaving a race weekend ranked as the fourth-best team.

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

Brawn GP transitioned from being leading race victors to a status comparable to Red Bull's current position, primarily due to insufficient funding and limited advancements.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary assets and team members to make a successful recovery.

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 anticipated to favor the RB20, more challenges are likely on the horizon.

New Audi leader Mattia Binotto witnessed challenges firsthand in the Sauber garage during the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

This marks the initial appearance of the ex-Ferrari chief engaging with the Hinwil team since his appointment in July.

Binotto is set to lead Audi's Formula 1 team in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will become the team principal after moving over from Red Bull.

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

Sauber has not achieved any top 10 finishes in 2024, and their performance at Monza continued this trend.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu secured the last positions on the grid and were clearly the least competitive team during the race.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We don't have the luxury of time. Our team needs to evolve into a winning one in the future. The path to achieving that is by making steady progress and advancements. We must start preparing and strengthening for the challenges ahead."

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. It's crucial not just for us, but also for the team, the brand, and our partners. We cannot be satisfied with where we currently stand."

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