**”Backing Norris: McLaren’s Strategy Dilemma and the Path to F1 Glory”**

McLaren Should Support Lando Norris, Though He Must Improve Personally

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

Support Norris Now

McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix after squandering another chance at a Formula 1 victory.

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

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

This marks the fourth lost chance for McLaren, following similar situations in Canada, Britain, and perhaps Belgium, where improved strategic choices could have led to victory.

Nevertheless, the urgency for McLaren lies in Norris’ quest for the drivers’ championship and deciding if now is the moment to fully support him.

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

The remarkable performance by McLaren, compared to the struggles faced by Red Bull, should inspire the top executives 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 take that action.

Speaking to the media at Monza, where Crash.net was in attendance, he stated, "We must now accept that winning the constructor championship is within reach," Stella remarked.

“Given the current performance of our car and the difficulties Red Bull is experiencing, it's definitely achievable from a driver's perspective.

"To aim for success in both areas, we must ensure that the team and Lando are in the best possible position to compete for both championships."

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, and it could have secured him the victory at Monza if he had committed to a one-stop strategy.

Although Piastri’s move allowed Leclerc to get past Norris, it did not violate the team's pre-race guidelines.

Nevertheless, considering that Norris has a real chance at winning the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary risk. The team could have easily managed this by giving him clear pre-race guidelines about how to behave after the first few corners.

Nevertheless, Norris deserves some criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially made it easy for his teammate to overtake him.

It is clear that the team must decide on a strategy starting from the Azerbaijan race, but Norris should avoid providing Piastri with reasons to disrupt his championship ambitions, as happened in Hungary.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all demonstrated a fierce competitiveness towards their teammates when necessary – now it's Norris's turn to adopt the same approach.

Beyond just a qualifier

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

Despite his early complaints about being outpaced by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tyres after both McLarens made their second pit stops, ultimately securing an emotional victory.

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

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

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

Remarkable Decline for Red Bull

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

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

Such a decline in performance has never been seen before.

Brawn GP transitioned from being leading race victors to a status comparable to Red Bull's current standing, primarily due to insufficient financial resources and development.

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

The concerning issue for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with an upgrade at the recent Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming tracks like Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, Red Bull could face further challenges.

New Audi CEO witnesses challenges firsthand

During the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, new Audi head Mattia Binotto spent time in the Sauber team's garage.

This marks the initial occasion that the ex-Ferrari leader has been connected with the Hinwil team since 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 monumental task as Sauber sits at the bottom of the constructors' championship standings.

Sauber has not secured any top 10 finishes in 2024, and the race at Monza did not bring any improvements for the team.

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

Binotto informed Motorsport.com that the team cannot afford such a situation. He emphasized the necessity for the team to evolve into a victorious one in the future. According to him, the path to achieving this goal involves making upward strides and continuous progress. He added that they need to prepare and strengthen themselves for what's ahead.

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. This is crucial for our individual growth, the team's success, the brand's reputation, and our partners' satisfaction. We cannot accept staying in our current situation."

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