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The latest race in Italy brought a lot of excitement for F1 fans eagerly anticipating another thrilling event. While few knew what to expect with several contenders in the mix, Charles Leclerc emerged as the happiest driver, clinching the victory. McLaren also shone this weekend, with both drivers finishing in the top three. Oscar Piastri secured second place, while Lando Norris finished third.
This performance has sparked discussions about the future of the team and whether McLaren should prioritize Norris, given that he trails Verstappen in the standings.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, in a media interview, emphasized that sometimes it’s crucial to favor the driver closer to success. Although it can be challenging, Wolff noted that every team must first consider the team as a whole before focusing on individual drivers.
“I think as a racing team that is battling at the front suddenly, you are between a rock and a hard place because on one side they are racers like we are racers,” Wolff said, as quoted by Crash.
“We want to make sure that the best man wins but on the other side when it starts to become dysfunctional and impacting your team’s performance, then how do you react to that?"
The Mercedes boss believes that the team always suffers the most in such situations and that it's crucial to prioritize the team above all. Wolff emphasizes that losing a championship by just five or six points, which could have been secured with different decisions, is one of the worst feelings. He stresses that certain moments demand specific decisions to be made.
“The team is always on the losing end because if you freeze positions and start to have team orders, then you have maybe not what our racing soul wants to do, but the rational side needs to prevail.
At the end you don’t want to lose out on a championship by three or five points that you could have easily made. So walking that tightrope is so difficult and there is no universal truth of how to handle it.”
Toto Wolff acknowledged that both Andrea Stella and Zak Brown have a deep understanding of the sport, with Stella having experienced many similar situations during his time at Ferrari. He pointed out that Stella’s instinct to let drivers race freely is well-intentioned but may need to be reevaluated.
The 52-year-old indicated that after the recent race, McLaren might need to reflect on how they manage their team dynamics. He noted that McLaren has already begun to adjust their approach from strict "rules" to a more flexible "racing intent," recognizing that the term "rules" might be too rigid for drivers.
Lando Norris on team decision
The F1 standings are particularly intriguing at the moment. Max Verstappen remains at the top, even though both he and his team have been going through a rough patch recently. Lando Norris is closing in on the Dutch driver, but Verstappen's substantial lead could still prove decisive. Charles Leclerc is currently in third place, while another talented McLaren driver is positioned fourth on the standings.
It’s interesting to mention that McLaren used the term “Papaya Rules” over team radio, which indicated that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were allowed to race each other. Many are now questioning whether McLaren made a smart decision by allowing this, as it potentially jeopardized Norris’s chances and reduced his opportunities for a top position.
“Just don't crash, that's all. And yeah, there was no contact so, he did a good job.”-explained Norris about the meaning behind the rule.
Given that the young Brit, as previously mentioned, is the driver closer to Verstappen, some expected McLaren might instruct them to swap positions in the final laps. Lando admitted that he would have welcomed such an order, but ultimately, he is not the one who makes those decisions. The young driver has every right to feel disappointed, as the outcome left a bitter taste, and there is a sentiment that Norris could have achieved more in this race.
“I mean, I would love it, but… it’s not up to me. It's tough because obviously I think as any driver you don't want [team orders]. You don't want things to just be played that way and yeah… it's a tough one."- Norris said.
The coming weeks could give the right answer as to whether McLaren can be competitive regardless of the type of race. Norris and Piastri are motivated to make a big result in strong competition. Verstappen, on the other hand, is cautious and aware of the danger that may come from McLaren.
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