Time for McLaren to Back Norris: Analyzing the Drama and Missed Opportunities at the Italian Grand Prix

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

Analyzing key discussions 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 at the Italian Grand Prix after squandering yet another opportunity to secure a victory in Formula 1.

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

McLaren's conservative strategy proved costly as they opted for a two-stop plan, while Ferrari chose a one-stop approach with Charles Leclerc, leading to a victory in their own backyard.

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

The more immediate concern for McLaren revolves around Norris' quest for the drivers' championship and deciding if now is the moment to support him fully.

Norris is only 62 points behind Max Verstappen in the drivers' championship with eight races left, and considering the current momentum of both teams, the British driver has a strong opportunity to win this year's title.

McLaren's remarkable performance, compared to the troubles faced by Red Bull, should inspire the leadership at the Woking-based 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 considering this course of action.

During a media briefing at Monza, with Crash.net in attendance, he stated, "We must now recognize that winning the constructors' championship is within reach," Stella remarked.

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

“To win both championships, we must ensure that the team and Lando are in the best possible shape to compete.”

Reflecting on the first lap, Piastri should not be faulted for his conduct 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 committed to a one-stop strategy.

Although Piastri's actions allowed Leclerc to overtake Norris, he did not violate the team's pre-race directives.

However, considering the chance that Norris might actually clinch the world championship this year, it was an unnecessary gamble. The team could have easily managed this by giving clear instructions about behavior after the initial corners before the race started.

Nevertheless, Norris cannot be exempt from criticism for his poor defense against Piastri, as he essentially allowed his teammate to overtake him.

Clearly, the team must decide on their strategy starting from the Azerbaijan race, but Norris should avoid giving Piastri reasons, as he did in Hungary, to disrupt his championship quest.

Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen did not hesitate to be uncompromising with their teammates when necessary – now it’s Norris’s turn to adopt the same approach.

Not Just a 'Quali Specialist'

Leclerc consistently delivers strong performances on race days in 2024, with Monza being yet another example.

Despite his initial complaints about being undermined by Norris, Leclerc expertly managed his tires after the two McLaren drivers made their second pit stops, ultimately securing a heartfelt win when he got a clear track.

Historically, Leclerc was frequently called a 'qualifying specialist' or a driver with a single talent because of his remarkable speed during qualifying sessions on Saturdays, where he often secured pole position but then struggled to maintain his performance during the race.

This year's Ferrari boasts improved balance and a more neutral approach to tyre management, allowing Leclerc to demonstrate his top-tier skills in tyre preservation on race days.

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

Unforeseen decline for Red Bull

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

Considering their strong start to the season, where they excelled in the initial races, it’s surprising to see them now leaving a race weekend as only the fourth-best team.

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

Brawn GP's transition from leading race victors to a position akin to Red Bull's current standing was primarily due to insufficient funds and limited progress.

Red Bull possesses all the necessary resources and staff to make improvements.

Red Bull is concerned as McLaren has enhanced their vehicle following the recent Dutch GP upgrade. With upcoming tracks like Azerbaijan and Singapore, which are not anticipated to favor the RB20, Red Bull may face further challenges.

New Audi CEO Mattia Binotto witnessed the challenges firsthand at the Sauber garage during the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

This marks the initial occasion that we've 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 as both the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. He will work 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 sits at the bottom of the constructors' championship.

Sauber has not managed to secure a top 10 finish in 2024, and their performance at Monza did not improve their record.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu ended up occupying the last positions on the starting grid, with their team clearly being the least competitive during the race.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Binotto stated, "We don't have the luxury to afford it. This team must evolve into a victorious one in the future. The sole method to achieve that is by making upward strides and advancing. We need to prepare ourselves for what's ahead."

"Absolutely, I believe we must make improvements. It's 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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