Backing Norris: McLaren’s Strategy Dilemma After Italian GP Drama

McLaren should start supporting Lando Norris more, though he also has to step up his game. This analysis highlights key discussions after an eventful Italian Grand Prix, pointing out McLaren's hesitance to fully support Lando Norris.

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McLaren found themselves in the spotlight again at the Italian Grand Prix, squandering yet another opportunity to win in F1.

Oscar Piastri delivered an impressive performance at Monza, executing a bold maneuver to pass his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and subsequently building a lead of 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 winning the race in their home country.

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

Nonetheless, the urgent matter for McLaren is Norris' chase for the drivers' title – and if it is the moment to support him now.

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

McLaren's strong performance, especially when compared to Red Bull's struggles, should inspire the senior leaders at the Woking-based team 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.

While speaking to the press at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, he stated, "We must now recognize that not only is the constructors’ championship within reach," Stella continued.

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

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

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

His move on Norris was impressive and assertive, potentially securing 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 guidelines.

However, considering the potential for Norris to genuinely become the world champion this year, it was an unnecessary risk. This situation could have been easily managed by the team with straightforward pre-race guidelines regarding behavior beyond the initial set of corners.

Nonetheless, Norris also deserves criticism for his lackluster defense against Piastri, essentially allowing his teammate to overtake him.

Certainly, the team must make a decision starting from the Azerbaijan race, but Norris should refrain from giving Piastri reasons (as seen in Hungary) to disrupt his championship quest.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen have all shown a relentless approach when competing against their teammates; now, it's time for Lando Norris to adopt a similar mindset.

Better Than Just a Qualifying Expert

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

Although he initially expressed frustration about being overtaken by Norris, Leclerc showcased excellent tyre management once he found himself with a clear track after both McLarens made their second pit stops. This skillful handling allowed him to secure a heartfelt win.

Historically, Leclerc frequently earned the nickname of a ‘quali merchant’ or a one-trick pony because of his exceptional speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position, only to struggle during the actual race.

This year's Ferrari has improved balance and a more neutral approach to tire management, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier ability in tire preservation on race days.

Leclerc has proven himself to be a versatile driver who will undoubtedly present a significant challenge to Hamilton in the coming year.

Unexpected 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 line.

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

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

Although Brawn GP transitioned from being dominant race victors to a situation akin to Red Bull's current status, this shift was merely due to insufficient funds 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 following the recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are predicted to be unfavorable for the RB20, Red Bull may face further challenges.

New Audi CEO Witnesses Challenges Firsthand

The recently appointed head of Audi, Mattia Binotto, was seen in the Sauber garage during the Italian Grand Prix this past weekend.

This marks the initial instance of the ex-Ferrari leader engaging with the Hinwil team since his announcement 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 from Red Bull.

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

Sauber has not managed to secure a top 10 finish at all in 2024, and the situation did not improve for them at Monza.

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

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We don't have the luxury to waste time. Our team must evolve into a championship-winning squad. The path to achieving this is through continuous improvement and advancement. We must build our strength for what's ahead."

"We definitely need to make improvements. It's crucial for us, for the team, for the brand, and for our partners. We can't be satisfied with where we are right now."

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