Revving Up: McLaren’s Crucial Decision to Back Norris Amid Italian Grand Prix Drama

McLaren Needs to Support Lando Norris More, but He Must Also Step Up

An analysis of the key issues arising from an eventful Italian Grand Prix, highlighting McLaren's hesitation to fully support Lando Norris.

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McLaren found themselves in the spotlight once more at the Italian Grand Prix, losing yet another chance to secure a Formula 1 victory.

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

McLaren's conservative strategy proved costly when they opted for two pit stops, while Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc, chose a single-stop plan and secured a victory in their home race.

This marks the fourth instance where McLaren could have secured a victory, following missed chances in Canada, Britain, and potentially Belgium, had their strategic choices been more effective.

A more urgent concern for McLaren is Norris' quest for the drivers' championship and deciding 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 their respective teams, the British driver stands a strong chance of clinching this year's title.

McLaren's strong performance, compared to Red Bull's struggles, ought to inspire the top executives in Woking to support Norris in his bid for this year's world championship.

Following the Monza event, it seems that team principal Andrea Stella is inclined to take that course of action.

During a media briefing at Monza, which was attended by Crash.net, he mentioned, "We must now recognize that not only is the constructors' championship achievable," Stella stated.

"Considering our current performance and the challenges Red Bull is experiencing, it's certainly achievable from a driver's perspective."

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

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri's handling of the side-by-side battle with Norris was beyond reproach.

His bold and impressive move against Norris was extraordinary. Had he committed to a single-stop strategy, it would have secured him the victory at Monza.

Although Piastri's moves allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, he did not disobey the team's pre-race guidelines.

Considering the chance that Norris could realistically become the world champion this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed this with a straightforward instruction about behavior past the initial series of turns before the race started.

Nonetheless, Norris is not without fault either, as his poor defense against Piastri allowed his teammate an easy opportunity to overtake.

Undoubtedly, the team must reach a decision starting from the Azerbaijan race, but Norris has to cease providing Piastri with reasons (as he did in Hungary) to disrupt his championship ambitions.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen all showed no mercy towards their teammates when necessary. Now, it's Norris's turn to follow suit.

Not Just a 'Qualifying Expert'

Leclerc has consistently delivered outstanding performances on race days in 2024, and the Monza race was no exception.

Despite initially voicing concerns about being outpaced by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tyres after the two McLarens pitted for their second stops, ultimately securing a heartfelt win.

Previously, Leclerc frequently earned the nickname of a 'qualifying specialist' or a one-dimensional driver because of his incredible speed during Saturday's qualifying sessions, where he often secured pole position, but would then struggle during the race itself.

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

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

Red Bull's struggles persisted at the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen finished in sixth place, trailing Leclerc by more than 35 seconds.

Considering their strong start to the season, where they excelled in the initial races, it is astonishing 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.

Although Brawn GP transitioned from being dominant race winners to a situation akin to Red Bull's current standing, this shift was merely due to insufficient funding and limited advancements.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary assets and team members to reverse their situation.

Red Bull's concern is mounting as McLaren has enhanced their vehicle with a recent upgrade at the Dutch GP. With upcoming tracks such as Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, more challenges are likely on the horizon.

Audi's new CEO, Mattia Binotto, witnessed the challenges firsthand in the Sauber garage during this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

This marks the initial occasion we have observed the ex-Ferrari chief engaging with the Hinwil team following his announcement in July.

Binotto is set to lead Audi’s Formula 1 team in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work alongside Jonathan Wheatley, who is expected to become the team principal after his transition from Red Bull.

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

Sauber has not managed to achieve a top 10 finish at all in 2024, and the race in Monza did not improve their record.

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

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto expressed, "We simply don't have the luxury to fail. Our goal is to transform this team into a championship-winning outfit in the future. The path to achieving that involves continuous improvement and upward movement. We must strengthen our capabilities to prepare for what's ahead."

"Indeed, I believe we absolutely need to make improvements. This is crucial not just for us personally, but also for the team, the brand, and our partners. We can't be satisfied with where we currently stand."

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