McLaren’s Dilemma: Backing Norris Amid Strategy Missteps and Rising Rivals

McLaren should support Lando Norris, but he also needs to step up

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

Support for Norris is due

McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix after letting another F1 race victory slip through their fingers.

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

McLaren's conservative strategy proved costly as they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari and Charles Leclerc executed a one-stop strategy, leading to a victory in their home race.

This marks the fourth missed chance for McLaren to secure a victory, following previous opportunities in Canada, Britain, and possibly Belgium, where improved strategic choices could have led to wins.

The urgent matter for McLaren right now is Norris' bid for the drivers' championship and determining if it's the right moment to support him fully.

With eight races remaining, Norris trails Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers' championship. Considering the current performance trends of the two teams, the British driver has a strong opportunity to clinch the title this year.

The exceptional performance of McLaren compared to the troubles faced by Red Bull might encourage the top executives at 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.

Speaking to the press at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, he stated, "We must now be able to recognize that the constructor championship is within reach," Stella continued.

"Given the current performance of our car and the challenges Red Bull is facing, achieving this goal seems entirely feasible from a driver's perspective."

“In order to go after both championships, we must ensure that the team and Lando are in the best possible shape.”

Reflecting on the events of the first lap, Piastri should not be faulted for his behavior during his side-by-side battle with Norris.

His move against Norris was impressive and bold, and it would have secured him the victory at Monza if he had opted for a one-stop strategy.

Although Piastri's actions allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, they did not violate the team's pre-race directives.

Despite the chance of Norris potentially winning the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed it with straightforward guidance on behavior beyond the initial corners before the race started.

Nonetheless, Norris deserves some criticism for his lackluster defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate an easy pass.

Clearly, the team must decide what to do starting in Azerbaijan, but Norris has to avoid providing Piastri with reasons (such as what happened 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 against their teammates when necessary – now it's time for Lando Norris to adopt the same approach.

Exceeding Expectations in Races

Leclerc's impressive race day performances have persisted throughout 2024, with Monza being another example of his excellence.

Despite his initial complaints about Norris undercutting him, Leclerc showcased excellent tyre management once he had clear air after both McLarens pitted for their second stops, ultimately securing an emotional win.

Previously, Leclerc frequently earned the reputation of being a 'qualifying specialist' or someone with a singular skill, as he would often secure pole position with his incredible speed on Saturdays, only to lose ground during the race itself.

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

Leclerc has proven himself to be a versatile driver who is sure to challenge Hamilton significantly in the coming year.

Unusual Red Bull decline

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.

Considering their strong start to the season, where they dominated the first few races, it's perplexing to see them now finishing a race weekend as only the fourth-best team.

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

Brawn GP transitioned from being dominant race victors to a status comparable to Red Bull's current position, primarily due to insufficient funding and limited development.

Red Bull possesses the necessary resources and staff to make improvements.

The concerning aspect for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle following the recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming tracks such as Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not predicted to favor the RB20, Red Bull is likely to face further challenges.

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

This marks the initial occasion that the ex-Ferrari leader has been engaged 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 huge challenge as Sauber is currently at the bottom of the constructors' standings.

Sauber has not managed to secure a top 10 result so far in 2024, and their performance at Monza followed the same disappointing trend.

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

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Binotto expressed, "It’s beyond our means. Our objective is to transform this team into a victorious one in the future. The path to achieving that involves making continuous advancements. We have to start building our strength now for what lies ahead."

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. It's crucial for us individually, for the team as a whole, for our brand, and for our partners. We can't be satisfied with where we are right now."

Explore Further

Recent Updates

Recent Updates

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

No part of this text, including photographs and illustrations, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner.