McLaren’s Norris Dilemma: Backing Lando Amidst Italian GP Drama and Strategy Misfires

McLaren needs to support Lando Norris, but he must also step up his game

An analysis of the 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 during the Italian Grand Prix, squandering yet another chance at an F1 victory.

Oscar Piastri delivered an outstanding performance at Monza, executing a bold pass on his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and eventually pulling ahead by more than five seconds.

McLaren's careful strategy proved costly when they chose a two-stop plan, while Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc, went for a single-stop approach and ended up winning the race in their home country.

This marks the fourth lost chance for McLaren to secure a victory, following similar situations in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategic choices might have led to a win.

The more urgent concern for McLaren is whether they should now support Norris in his quest for the drivers’ championship.

Norris is currently trailing Max Verstappen by only 62 points in the drivers' championship with eight races remaining. Considering the current form of both teams, the British racer has a strong opportunity to clinch this year's title.

McLaren's strong performance, compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the top executives at the Woking team 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 move in that direction.

Speaking to the press at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, he stated: "We must now recognize that not only is the constructors' championship within reach,” Stella commented.

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

"In order to aim for both championships, we must ensure that the team and Lando are in the best possible condition to compete."

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

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

Although Piastri's maneuver allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, it did not violate the team's pre-race guidelines.

However, 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 by giving clear guidelines on behavior right after the start of the race.

Nonetheless, Norris deserves some criticism as well for his poor defense against Piastri, which essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

It is clear that the team must make a choice starting with the Azerbaijan event, but Norris must refrain from providing Piastri with reasons (as seen in Hungary) to disrupt his championship chase.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all displayed a relentless attitude towards their teammates when necessary. Now, it’s Norris's turn to adopt the same approach.

Beyond just a qualifying expert

Leclerc consistently delivers strong performances on race days in 2024, and his effort at Monza was no exception.

Despite his initial grievances about being overshadowed by Norris, Leclerc expertly conserved his tyres once he had a clear track after the two McLaren cars made their second pit stops. His skillful management led to a heartfelt triumph.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently called a 'qualifying specialist' or a one-dimensional driver because of his exceptional speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position but then struggled during the actual race.

Thanks to the improved balance and neutral handling of this year's Ferrari, Leclerc has demonstrated his exceptional skill in tyre management during races, proving he is among the elite in this aspect.

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

Red Bull's decline persisted at the Italian Grand Prix, as Verstappen ended up in sixth place, trailing Leclerc by more than 35 seconds.

Considering their strong start to the season, where they led the initial races, it is surprising that they now finish a race weekend as the fourth-best team.

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

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

Red Bull possesses all the necessary resources and staff to make a significant improvement.

Concerningly for Red Bull, McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with a recent upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix. With upcoming tracks such as Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are anticipated to be unfavorable for the RB20, Red Bull is likely to face additional challenges.

New Audi leader witnesses challenges firsthand

New Audi CEO Mattia Binotto attended the Sauber garage during this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

This is the initial occasion we've observed the ex-Ferrari leader engaging with the Hinwil team since his introduction 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 take on the role of team principal once he transitions from Red Bull.

The Italian faces a monumental task as Sauber is currently at the bottom of the constructors' championship standings.

Sauber hasn't managed to secure a top 10 finish this year, and their performance at Monza was no different.

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

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated that the team cannot afford to lag behind. He emphasized the need for the team to evolve into a championship-winning squad in the future. According to him, achieving this goal requires continuous improvement and development, likening it to training their muscles for future challenges.

"Absolutely, I believe improvement is necessary. It's crucial for us personally, for the team as a whole, for the brand's reputation, and for our partners. We cannot be satisfied with where we currently stand."

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