McLaren’s Dilemma: Back Lando Norris or Risk Another Championship Slip?

McLaren Should Support Lando Norris – Yet He Must Also Step Up

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

Support Norris now

During the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once again as they let another Formula 1 win slip through their fingers.

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

McLaren's conservative tactics ended up being detrimental when they opted for a two-stop strategy, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc chose a one-stop strategy and eventually clinched victory in his home race.

This marks the fourth occasion where McLaren could have secured a victory, following missed chances in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, had their strategy decisions been more effective.

The more immediate concern for McLaren is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship and deciding if they should support him at this point.

Norris is 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.

McLaren's strong performance, compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the senior management at Woking to support Norris in his bid for this year's world championship.

Following the Monza event, it seems that Andrea Stella, the team leader, is inclined to take that course of action.

During a media session at Monza, attended by Crash.net, Stella stated, "We must now recognize that not only is the constructors' championship achievable."

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

"In order to aim for both championships, we must ensure that the team and Lando are well-prepared."

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

His move on Norris was impressive and bold, and it would 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 guidelines.

Nonetheless, considering the chance that Norris might actually win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary risk. The team could have easily managed it with a straightforward directive before the race about behavior after the first few corners.

Nonetheless, Norris cannot be exempt from criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

Clearly, the team must make a choice starting with the Azerbaijan event, but Norris must prevent Piastri from having reasons (as seen in Hungary) to disrupt his quest for the championship.

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 a similar approach.

More than just a ‘qualifying expert’

Leclerc is consistently delivering impressive performances on race day in 2024, and the Monza event was no exception.

Despite his initial complaints about being disadvantaged by Norris, Leclerc skillfully managed his tires after gaining some clear track when both McLaren cars pitted for their second stops. This allowed him to secure an emotional win.

Previously, Leclerc frequently earned the nickname ‘qualifying specialist’ or was seen as limited in skill because of his incredible speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position but then struggled to maintain that performance in the race itself.

This year's Ferrari, which boasts improved balance and more neutral handling of its tyres, has allowed Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skills in tyre management on race days.

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

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

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

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

Brawn GP transitioned from being leading race victors to a state comparable to Red Bull's current standing, primarily due to financial constraints and a halt in development.

Red Bull possesses the necessary resources and staff to make a comeback.

The concerning aspect for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with a recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With tracks like Azerbaijan and Singapore on the horizon, which are anticipated to be less favorable for the RB20, Red Bull might face additional challenges ahead.

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

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

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

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

Sauber has not achieved a top 10 position in 2024, and their performance at Monza was no exception.

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

Binotto explained to Motorsport.com: “It’s not something we can afford. Our team needs to evolve into a championship-winning squad in the future. The path to achieving that is by making consistent progress and advancing. We must strengthen our capabilities for the challenges ahead.”

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

Explore Further

Recent Updates

Recent Updates

Site Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to reproduce the text, photos, or illustrations, whether in full or in part, in any manner.