McLaren let another win slip through their fingers in Monza. Despite the MCL38 cementing itself as the benchmark in F1, the narrative surrounding the team is increasingly negative. In post-race declarations to the media, team principal Andrea Stella admitted that McLaren might have to start prioritising Norris. However, CEO Zak Brown has made very different comments.
F1 News: McLaren face big decision over team orders
Zak Brown insists on race by race approach
Strategy played a central role in the Italian GP, with Ferrari executing an inspired one-stop race to take their third win of 2024.
This is not the first time McLaren have been compromised by strategy this season, with the British squad’s pit wall committing far too many unforced errors.
However, the first lap was also decisive in the race outcome. Oscar Piastri pulled off an audacious overtake on Norris into turn 4, impacting Norris’ momentum and costing him a place to Leclerc – which was crucial to the race’s outcome.
There are now several instances in 2024 where McLaren have struggled to manage their drivers. With Norris and Piastri often fighting for position, big decisions need to be made about who – if anyone – to prioritise.
For some, the team’s reluctance to implement team orders and prioritise Norris could be a costly error. That said, McLaren CEO Zak Brown sees things differently:
“They are both young drivers who want to win, we have always believed in having two number ones,” he told Sky F1.
“That’s always been McLaren’s way, it can be difficult to manage. We’ve seen it with Senna and Prost.
“They get along great, they do race each other clean, and it’s philosophical – are you a one-car team or a two-car team? The easiest thing would have been for Lando to just run away with it, and then not have to put difficult decisions on pit wall.
“But Andrea [Stella] and I are taking it one race at a time.”
McLaren will clarify their approach
As mentioned previously, these comments were far less receptive to the idea of prioritising Norris than those of team principal Andrea Stella.
Over the next two weeks, discussions will surely take place behind closed doors about how to manage the situation.
Of course, McLaren do not necessarily need to use team orders at every race. There will inevitably be races where Norris and Piastri are not competing for the same positions. In these scenarios, there is no need for intervention.
However, considering that Norris has a plausible chance of winning the drivers’ Championship, every point matters.
The British driver doesn’t just have to close the gap to Verstappen in the standings, either. Charles Leclerc is only 20 points behind Norris, meaning he could emerge as a dark horse if Ferrari continue progressing.
There is no denying that McLaren benefits from having two drivers capable of winning races. As seen throughout the year, the papaya duo are capable of scoring big points on a consistent basis.
Despite this, the team must find a way to avoid the increasingly awkward positions they find themselves in from race to race.
