Backing Norris: McLaren’s Strategy Under Scrutiny Post-Italian GP Drama

McLaren Must Support Lando Norris, but He Has to Step Up

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

Support for Norris is essential.

McLaren found themselves under the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix, where they squandered yet another opportunity to win in Formula 1.

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

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

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

The more urgent concern for McLaren, though, is Norris's quest for the drivers' championship and if the team should start supporting him now.

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

The striking performance of McLaren, especially when compared to Red Bull's troubles, should inspire the leadership team 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 take that action.

During a media briefing at Monza, which Crash.net attended, he stated, "We must now recognize that not just the constructors' championship is achievable," Stella commented.

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

"In order to aim for both championships, it's crucial to prepare both the team and Lando to be in optimal condition."

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri should not be criticized for his actions during the close racing with Norris.

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

Although Piastri's actions allowed Leclerc to pass Norris, he did not violate the team's pre-race guidelines.

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

Nevertheless, Norris should also be held accountable for his poor defense against Piastri, which essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

Clearly, the team must decide on a course of action starting with the Azerbaijan race. However, Norris must avoid providing Piastri with reasons (as he did in Hungary) to disrupt his championship quest.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen have all shown a fierce competitive edge when facing their teammates. Now, it's time for Lando Norris to adopt the same approach.

Beyond just a 'qualifying expert'

Leclerc keeps delivering impressive performances on race days in 2024, and Monza was no exception.

Despite his initial complaints about Norris undermining his performance, Leclerc skillfully managed his tires after the two McLarens pitted for their second stops. This allowed him to maintain his position and secure a heartfelt win.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently referred to as a 'quali merchant' or a one-trick pony because of his exceptional speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position but then struggled to maintain his performance during the race.

This year's Ferrari is more stable and balanced in its tyre management, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skills in tyre preservation during Sunday races.

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

Unforeseen Decline for Red Bull

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

Considering their strong start to the season, where they excelled in the first few races, it's astonishing that they are now leaving a race weekend as only the fourth-best team.

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

Although Brawn GP transitioned from being commanding race victors to a status akin to Red Bull's current standing, this shift was purely due to insufficient funds and limited advancements.

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 a recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, where the RB20 isn't anticipated to perform well, Red Bull may face further challenges.

New Audi CEO witnesses challenges firsthand

New Audi leader Mattia Binotto attended the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, observing from the Sauber team’s garage.

This marks the initial instance of the ex-Ferrari leader engaging with the Hinwil team following his announcement in July.

Binotto will lead Audi’s Formula 1 team as both the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, working alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who is set to become the team principal after his move from Red Bull.

The Italian faces a colossal challenge as Sauber is currently last in the constructors' standings.

Sauber hasn't managed to secure a top 10 placement this year, and the race at Monza was no exception.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu secured the last two positions on the grid, making them the slowest team during the race.

In a conversation with Motorsport.com, Binotto expressed, “Our budget doesn't allow for that. To transform this team into a future champion, we must start making advances now. It's crucial for us to begin strengthening our capabilities to ensure success down the line.”

“Absolutely, we need to make improvements. It matters for us, it matters for the team, it’s crucial for the brand, and it’s significant for our partners. We simply cannot be satisfied with our current standing.”

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