Not for the first time in 2024, McLaren threw away a race victory in Monza. Poor strategy prevented Oscar Piastri from winning a race that, for the most part, he was in control of. Meanwhile, Norris lost two positions off the start after a brief and ultimately costly battle with teammate Piastri. Moving forward, the team will begin considering the implementation of team orders.
F1 News: McLaren to look at team orders
McLaren throw away more points
Historically, McLaren have always been hesitant to use team orders. The likes of Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes are traditionally more cut-throat when making decisions to prioritise one driver in the Championship.
Until now, the Woking-based team have tried to avoid making any commitments to one driver. However, implementing a clear stance on this topic cannot be delayed any longer.
Red Bull are extremely vulnerable in both Championships, with McLaren almost guaranteed to overtake them in the constructors’ standings in the coming rounds.
However, there is a bigger deficit for Lando Norris to overturn in the drivers’ Championship. With eight rounds left in the season, the margin for error is becoming smaller and smaller.
Speaking after a disappointing Italian GP, team principal Andrea Stella discussed this topic:
“We have now to acknowledge that not only the constructors’ championship is possible,” he told the BBC.
“But – with the performance we have at the moment in the car, and some of the struggle we see with Red Bull – even the drivers’ [Championship] is definitely possible.
“If we can achieve both, we need to put the team and Lando in [a] position to pursue both championships.
“Both drivers are mathematically in condition to do so.
“But Lando is in the best position from a numbers point of view, and we are fighting Max Verstappen.
“So if we want to give support to one driver, we have to pick the one in the best position.”
Time is running out
On paper, having two drivers of a similar calibre is a huge advantage. Norris and Piastri put themselves in an ideal position after qualifying (and even after turn 1) to secure a 1-2 finish at a circuit where Ferrari were very competitive.
However, as seen throughout the race distance, this also presents a problem for McLaren. The British team were committing numerous operational blunders at the beginning of the season when the stakes were much lower.
Now that two Championships are on the line, managing two drivers aiming for victory is proving too great of a challenge for Andrea Stella’s team.
Realistically, McLaren and Norris should be leading in both Championships. Poorly executed races like yesterday’s are the only reason that an increasingly uncompetitive RB20 is still leading the standings.
If the Woking-based operation can begin delivering the results that the MCL38 deserves, they can take the lead in both Championships and create a gap. Now is the time to capitalise on Red Bull’s persistent struggles, especially since there is no guarantee they will last.
There is plenty for McLaren to think about as their driver management emerges as the hottest topic in F1 news.
