McLaren’s Moment of Truth: Backing Norris for Championship Glory Amidst Italian GP Drama and the Pressing Need for Personal Growth

McLaren Must Support Lando Norris More, Though He Has Personal Improvements to Make

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

It's the moment to support Norris

At the Italian Grand Prix, McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more, squandering yet another Formula 1 race win.

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

McLaren's conservative strategy didn't pay off when they decided on a two-stop plan, in contrast to Ferrari's choice of a one-stop strategy for Charles Leclerc, who eventually claimed victory in his home country race.

This marks the fourth instance of a missed win for McLaren, following similar scenarios in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategic choices could have likely led to victory.

Yet, the urgent matter for McLaren at this juncture is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship – and the decision on whether to support him fully at this point.

Norris trails Max Verstappen by 62 points in the championship race, with eight races remaining. Considering the current momentum of their respective teams, the British racer stands a solid opportunity to clinch this year's title.

The remarkable performance of McLaren, juxtaposed with Red Bull's troubles, ought to inspire the top brass at the Woking-based team to support Norris in his quest for this year's world championship.

Following the race in Monza, it seems Team Principal Andrea Stella is inclined to take that action.

Speaking to the press at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, Stella mentioned, "We must now accept that winning the constructor championship is within reach."

"From the perspective of someone behind the wheel, given our current car's capabilities and the challenges Red Bull is facing, it certainly seems achievable."

"Therefore, to pursue both championships successfully, it's crucial that we ensure the team, as well as Lando, are in the optimal condition to do so."

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri's conduct in the side-by-side battle with Norris is beyond reproach.

His move on Norris was breathtaking and assertive, and it could have secured his victory at Monza if he had maintained a one-stop strategy.

Piastri's maneuvers allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, yet they did not contravene the team's directives set before the race.

However, considering the chance of Norris truly securing the world championship title this year, it was an unnecessary gamble, one that the team could have easily managed with straightforward guidance on behavior beyond the initial series of turns before the race.

Nonetheless, Norris should also face scrutiny for his feeble defense against Piastri, essentially allowing his teammate an opportunity to overtake him.

Certainly, from Azerbaijan forward, it's crucial for the squad to come to a conclusion. However, Norris must cease providing Piastri with reasons, as seen in Hungary, to meddle in his chase for the championship.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen consistently displayed a fierce competitive edge over their team members whenever necessary – now, it's Norris's turn to adopt a similar approach.

Leclerc proves he's more than just a qualifying specialist with his strong performances on race days in 2024, and his showing at Monza was no exception.

Initially voicing concerns about Norris compromising his pace, Leclerc found himself with an opportunity to shine after both McLarens pitted for their second round of stops. Excelling in tyre management, he skillfully maintained his lead, ultimately securing a heartfelt win.

Previously, Leclerc frequently earned the tags of a 'quali merchant' or a one-dimensional talent because of his remarkable speed during Saturday's qualifying sessions, regularly securing the pole position, only to then fade as the event progressed.

This season, Ferrari's improved balance and tire management have enabled Leclerc to demonstrate his exceptional skills in tire conservation during races, placing him among the top performers in this aspect.

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

Red Bull's slump deepened during the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen ended the race in sixth place, trailing more than 35 seconds behind Leclerc.

Considering their strong start to the season, where they led the pack in the first few races, it's perplexing to see them now finishing a race weekend as the team in fourth place.

This decline in effectiveness is unparalleled.

Brawn GP's transition from leading victors in races to a situation akin to Red Bull's current status was primarily due to financial constraints and developmental limitations.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary assets and team members to make a turnaround.

The concerning aspect for Red Bull is that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with their latest upgrade at the Dutch GP, and considering the upcoming tracks in Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, it appears that Red Bull may face further challenges.

Audi's new leader, Mattia Binotto, witnessed challenges firsthand

Audi’s recently appointed head, Mattia Binotto, spent time in the Sauber team area during this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

This marks the inaugural instance of the ex-Ferrari chief's association with the Hinwil team, following his introduction back in July.

Binotto is set to lead Audi's Formula 1 team, taking on the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, with Jonathan Wheatley stepping in as the team principal once he makes the move from Red Bull.

The Italian faces a colossal task, as Sauber currently ranks last in the constructors' championship.

Sauber hasn't managed to secure a position within the top 10 in any race in 2024, and their performance at Monza showed no improvement.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu found themselves at the very end of the grid, clearly lagging behind as the slowest team during the race day.

Binotto mentioned to Motorsport.com, "It's beyond our budget. I believe we need to evolve into a victorious team in the coming years. The only path forward is to advance and make progress. We must strengthen our capabilities for what lies ahead."

"Indeed, there's a definite need for us to enhance our performance. This is crucial not just for our own sake but also for the team. It holds significance for the brand, as well as for our collaborators. Accepting our present status is simply not an option."

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