Backing Norris: McLaren’s Strategic Missteps and the Path to F1 Glory

McLaren should support Lando Norris more, but he must also improve individually

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

Support for Norris is crucial

McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix, squandering yet another chance to secure an F1 victory.

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

McLaren's conservative tactics ended up costing them as they opted for a two-stop strategy, while Ferrari chose a one-stop plan with Charles Leclerc, who eventually secured a victory in his home race.

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

The more urgent concern for McLaren is Norris’ quest for the drivers’ championship and whether they should support him at this stage.

With eight races left, Norris is trailing Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers' championship. Considering the current performance trends of their teams, the British driver stands a strong chance of winning the title this year.

McLaren's strong performance, especially when compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the senior management 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 inclined to proceed in that direction.

During a media interaction at Monza, where Crash.net was in attendance, he stated: "We must now be in a position to recognize that not just the constructors' championship is achievable," Stella mentioned.

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

"In order for us to secure both championships, it’s essential to ensure that both the team and Lando are in the best possible shape to compete."

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri cannot be faulted for his conduct during the close racing with Norris.

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

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

Nevertheless, considering the chance that Norris could realistically win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed this with straightforward pre-race guidelines regarding behavior beyond the initial corners.

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

There’s no question that the team has to make a choice starting with the Azerbaijan event, but Norris must prevent situations that encourage Piastri to disrupt his championship efforts, as happened in Hungary.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen have all been known to show no mercy towards their teammates when necessary – now it's time for Norris to follow suit.

Beyond just a qualifying expert

Leclerc has been delivering impressive race-day performances in 2024, with Monza being no exception.

Despite his initial complaints about being undermined by Norris, Leclerc skillfully managed his tyres after both McLarens pitted for their second stops, ultimately securing an emotional win.

Historically, Leclerc was frequently criticized as being only good at qualifying, showcasing impressive speed on Saturdays but failing to maintain that performance during the actual races.

This year’s Ferrari has improved balance and a more neutral approach to managing its tyres. As a result, Leclerc has demonstrated his ability to preserve his tyres on Sundays, proving he is among the top drivers in this aspect.

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

Unheard-of decline for Red Bull

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

Considering their strong start to the season, where they excelled in the initial races, it's perplexing to see them finish a race weekend as only the fourth-best team.

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

Although Brawn GP transitioned from being dominant race winners to a situation similar to Red Bull's current standing, this was primarily due to financial constraints and limited development.

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

The concerning issue for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with the latest upgrades introduced at the Dutch Grand Prix. Upcoming tracks, such as those in Azerbaijan and Singapore, are anticipated to be unfavorable for the RB20, suggesting more challenges ahead.

New Audi leader witnesses challenges firsthand

Recently appointed Audi head Mattia Binotto attended the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, observing from the Sauber team’s garage.

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

Mattia 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 upon his future transition from Red Bull.

The Italian faces a daunting task as Sauber sits at the bottom of the constructors' championship standings.

Sauber has not managed to secure a spot in the top 10 at any race in 2024, and the Monza event did not improve their record.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu secured the last row on the starting grid, making their team the slowest by a considerable margin on race day.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We can't afford to stay where we are. Our goal is to transform this team into a winning one in the future. To achieve that, we have to start making progress and moving forward. We need to build our strength for what's ahead."

"Without a doubt, we need to make improvements. This is crucial not only for ourselves but also for the team, the brand, and our partners. We can't be satisfied with where we are right now."

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