Revving Up for Change: McLaren’s Dilemma with Norris, Ferrari’s Triumph, and Red Bull’s Downfall at the Italian Grand Prix

McLaren Should Support Lando Norris More, Yet He Must Also Step Up

An analysis of key issues after an eventful Italian Grand Prix, highlighting McLaren's hesitance to fully support Lando Norris.

Support for Norris is crucial

McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more during the Italian Grand Prix as they squandered yet another opportunity to secure a Formula 1 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 conservative tactics proved costly as they opted for a two-stop strategy, while Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc, chose a one-stop approach and ended up clinching victory in their home race.

This marks the fourth time McLaren has missed a chance to win, following similar scenarios in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, where improved strategic choices could have secured victory.

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

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

McLaren's strong performance, compared to Red Bull's struggles, should encourage the senior leaders of the Woking team to support Norris in his quest for this year's world championship.

Following the Monza event, it seems that team leader Andrea Stella is inclined to proceed in that direction.

At Monza, where Crash.net was in attendance, he informed the press: "We must now recognize that the constructors' championship is within reach," Stella mentioned.

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

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

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri cannot be faulted for his conduct during his close-quarters battle with Norris.

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

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

However, considering the chance that Norris could realistically win the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have managed this risk with straightforward pre-race guidance on behavior following the initial set of corners.

Nonetheless, Norris also deserves criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, essentially allowing his teammate to overtake him.

Certainly, the team must decide on a course of action starting with the Azerbaijan race. However, Norris should refrain from providing Piastri with opportunities (as seen in Hungary) to disrupt his championship chase.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all showed no mercy toward their teammates when necessary. Now, it's Norris's turn to adopt a similar approach.

Not Just a 'Qualifying Specialist'

Leclerc is consistently delivering impressive performances on race day in 2024, with Monza being a prime example.

Despite his initial complaints about being undercut by Norris, Leclerc skillfully managed his tyres after gaining clear air following the second pit stops for both McLarens, ultimately securing an emotional victory.

Previously, Leclerc frequently earned the reputation of being a 'qualifying specialist' or someone with a singular talent because of his remarkable speed during Saturday sessions, which often saw him securing pole position before his performance declined during the actual race.

Thanks to the improved balance and neutral handling of this year's Ferrari, Leclerc has demonstrated his top-tier ability in tire management during Sunday races.

Leclerc has shown that he is a versatile driver who is sure to challenge Hamilton significantly next year.

Historic Decline for Red Bull

Red Bull's struggles persisted at the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen managed to secure only sixth place, trailing Leclerc by more than 35 seconds at the finish.

Considering their strong start to the season with a series of victories in the initial races, it's astonishing to see them now leaving a race weekend ranked as the fourth-best team.

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

Brawn GP transitioned from consistently winning races to a position similar to Red Bull's current status, primarily due to insufficient funding and development.

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

A cause for concern for Red Bull is McLaren's recent car enhancement during the Dutch Grand Prix, which has shown significant improvement. With upcoming races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, tracks that are not anticipated to favor the RB20, Red Bull may face additional challenges ahead.

New Audi leader witnesses challenges firsthand

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

This marks the initial occasion that the ex-Ferrari leader has been spotted working with the Hinwil team since his appointment was declared in July.

Binotto will lead Audi's Formula 1 team in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who will take on the position of team principal after transitioning from Red Bull.

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

Sauber has not managed to secure a top 10 finish at any race so far in 2024, and the situation did not improve for the team at Monza.

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

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We can't afford it. Our team needs to evolve into a winning team in the future. The only path to achieve that is by advancing and making progress. We need to build our strength for what lies ahead."

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. This is crucial for us personally, for the team, for the brand, and for our partners. We can't be satisfied with where we currently stand."

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