McLaren’s Dilemma: Backing Lando Norris Amidst Strategic Missteps and F1 Drama

McLaren must start supporting Lando Norris – yet he must also step up

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

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

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

McLaren's careful tactics backfired when they opted for a two-stop strategy, while Ferrari chose a one-stop approach with Charles Leclerc, leading to a victory in their home race.

It marks the fourth missed chance for McLaren, following similar situations in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategic choices might have secured them a victory.

The bigger concern for McLaren right now is Norris' chase for the drivers' championship and deciding if they should fully support him at this point.

With eight races remaining, Norris trails Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers’ championship. Considering the current performance trends of their teams, the British driver is well-positioned to contend for this year's title.

McLaren's strong performance, especially when compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the top executives in 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 course of action.

Speaking to the media at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, Stella stated, "We must now recognize that the constructor championship is achievable."

"Considering the current performance of our car and the challenges Red Bull is experiencing, I believe it is 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 position to succeed."

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

His move against Norris was impressive and bold. It could have secured him the victory at Monza if he had adhered to a one-stop strategy.

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

Nonetheless, considering that Norris has a real chance of winning the world championship this year, the risk taken was unnecessary. The team could have easily managed this by providing clear pre-race guidelines on behavior after the initial series of turns.

Nevertheless, Norris also deserves some criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, which essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

Certainly, the team must decide on a course of action starting from Azerbaijan, but Norris should refrain from providing Piastri with reasons (as he did in Hungary) to disrupt his championship quest.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all showed no mercy towards their teammates when necessary – now it's Norris's turn to follow suit.

Not Just a 'Qualifying Specialist'

Leclerc consistently delivers impressive performances on race day in 2024, and Monza was no exception.

Although he initially expressed frustration about being overtaken by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tires after both McLarens pitted for their second stops. This allowed him to secure a heartfelt win.

Previously, Leclerc frequently earned the reputation of being a 'qualifying specialist' or a one-dimensional driver because of his exceptional speed during Saturday qualifying sessions, where he often secured pole position but then struggled to maintain that performance in the race.

This year, Ferrari's car offers improved balance and a more neutral approach to tyre management, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skills in tyre conservation during Sunday races.

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

Historic Decline for Red Bull

Red Bull's struggles persisted during 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 were leading in the initial races, it's surprising to see them now finishing a race weekend as the fourth-best team.

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

Brawn GP's transition from being dominant race winners to a position akin to Red Bull's current standing was primarily due to insufficient funds and limited development.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary resources and team members to improve their situation.

Red Bull has reason to be concerned as McLaren has enhanced their vehicle following a recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With tracks such as Azerbaijan and Singapore on the horizon, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, Red Bull may face further challenges ahead.

Audi's new CEO witnesses challenges firsthand

Audi's newly appointed leader, Mattia Binotto, attended the Italian Grand Prix in the Sauber team's garage this weekend.

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

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

The Italian faces a huge challenge, as Sauber is currently at the bottom of the constructors' championship.

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

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu secured the last positions on the starting grid, making their team the slowest by a significant margin during the race.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "It's not something we can allow. This team needs to evolve into a winning team in the future, and the only way to achieve that is by making steady progress. We must prepare and strengthen ourselves for the challenges ahead."

"Absolutely, I believe there's a definite need for improvement. It's crucial for us personally, for the team as a whole, for our brand, and for our partners. We simply cannot be satisfied with our current standing."

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