McLaren’s Strategic Dilemma: Time to Fully Back Lando Norris Amidst Italian GP Drama

McLaren must support Lando Norris, but he also has to improve individually

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

Support Norris

McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more during the Italian Grand Prix, where they squandered yet another chance at an F1 grand prix win.

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

McLaren's careful strategy proved costly as they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari chose a one-stop approach with Charles Leclerc, who eventually secured a victory in their home race.

McLaren has now missed out on a potential victory for the fourth time, following similar situations in Canada, Britain, and maybe Belgium, where improved strategic decisions could have secured a win.

The more urgent 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, ought to inspire the senior leaders at the Woking team 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 proceed in that direction.

During a media briefing at Monza, where Crash.net was in attendance, Stella stated, "We must now recognize that not only is the constructors' championship within reach."

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

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

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

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

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

Nonetheless, considering the chance that Norris might actually win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. This situation could have been managed by the team through straightforward pre-race guidelines on how to behave beyond the initial set of corners.

Nonetheless, Norris should also face criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

It’s clear that from Azerbaijan and beyond, the team must decide on a strategy. However, Norris should avoid providing Piastri with opportunities, such as those seen in Hungary, to disrupt his championship quest.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen all showed a fierce competitive edge against their teammates when necessary. Now, it's Norris's turn to adopt the same approach.

More than just a "qualifying expert," Leclerc has been delivering impressive performances on race days in 2024, including a strong showing at Monza.

Although he initially expressed frustration about being overtaken by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tires after the two McLaren cars entered the pits for their second stops, allowing him to secure a heartfelt win.

Previously, Leclerc was frequently referred to as a 'quali merchant' or a specialist in one area because of his exceptional speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position, only to lose ground during the race itself.

This year's Ferrari has improved balance and a more neutral handling of its tyres, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skill in tyre management during Sunday races.

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

Red Bull's struggles 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 dominated the initial races, it’s puzzling to see them now finishing a race weekend as the fourth-best team.

A decline in performance of this magnitude has never been seen before.

Brawn GP, who once dominated races, experienced a decline similar to Red Bull's current status, primarily due to financial constraints and limited development.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary resources and staff to improve the situation.

Concerning for Red Bull is the fact that McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with a recent upgrade seen at the Dutch Grand Prix. With tracks such as Azerbaijan and Singapore on the horizon, which are anticipated to be unfavorable for the RB20, Red Bull may face further challenges ahead.

New Audi leader experiences challenges firsthand

Newly appointed Audi head Mattia Binotto attended the Sauber pit during the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

This is the initial occasion we've observed the ex-Ferrari leader engaging with the Hinwil team since his announcement in July.

Binotto is set to lead Audi’s Formula 1 team in the dual roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will be working alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who is expected to join from Red Bull as the team principal.

The Italian faces a colossal challenge as Sauber sits at the lowest position in the constructors' championship standings.

Sauber has not secured any top 10 finishes in 2024, and their performance at Monza did not improve their record.

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

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "It's not something we can afford. This team needs to transform into a winning team in the future. The only path to achieving that is by making steady progress. We have to build up our strength for the challenges ahead."

"Certainly, I believe we need to make improvements. This is crucial for us personally, for the team, for our brand, and for our partners. We cannot continue to accept our current situation."

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