McLaren reveals timeframe on decision to give Lando Norris number 1 status for title fight against Max Verstappen
Lando Norris currently trails Max Verstappen by 76 points in the driver's standings.
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Lando Norris with Oscar Piastri and Zak Brown(all images via IMAGO)
Red Bull began its 2024 campaign with the previous year’s momentum on its side. However, this momentum soon tapered off as McLaren emerged as the fastest car on paper. This change in status quo came with another set of problems as Lando Norris emerged as a driver’s championship threat to Max Verstappen, but the English team has affirmed that no driver roles have been assigned for the papaya pair.
Lando Norris joined the McLaren junior driver program in 2017. Subsequently, he was promoted to the F1 division in 2019 and has been a prodigy of the team like Lewis Hamilton. With such a great relationship between the two parties, it was anticipated that the 24-year-old would be given preference over his teammate in scenarios where the championship was on the line.
However, in stark contrast, McLaren was observed convincing Norris to concede his position to Oscar Piastri, questioning his status within the team. This raised eyebrows towards the Woking-based squad, which urged Zak Brown to reveal the time frame before driver roles would be assigned.
That's ultimately going to be Andrea's[Stella] call. We want to get through the first half of the season, and see where we end up this weekend.I think the constructors' championship, while it's definitely not going to be easy, is well within reach.Zak Brown said in an interview with Sky Sports
The McLaren Racing CEO subsequently added.
I think the challenge on the drivers' front is that Max's bad days are second and third places, so [it's hard] to make those clawbacks that we're making on the constructors' that we can do because Sergio Perez is struggling at the moment, [but] we also know he's capable of turning it on at any moment. That will be something I think we discuss over the summer break.Zak Brown via the same interview
The American elucidated that giving Norris priority would be Andrea Stella‘s call. The team is concerned with the constructor’s championship and reckons the driver championship might be a long shot which might lead to a delay in the decision. However, Brown admitted that he would talk to Stella during the summer break and have a clear mind going into the second half of the season.
Zak Brown sheds light on McLaren’s shortcomings
While McLaren claimed a 1-2 in Hungary last time around, they had to go to a great extent to ensure that the original positions of the two drivers were reinstated. This delay in conceding the position was talked up by the paddock and Norris was claimed to be a selfish person by many.
Brown glanced over the antics that went over in Hungary and gave his views.
I think we would have swapped right away and then let him have a go. I don't think Lando thinks he would have beaten Oscar[Piastri], Oscar was absolutely flying and the undercut presented a big gap and had we pitted Oscar first, he would have come out six or seven seconds ahead.Zak Brown said in an interview with Sky Sports
The 52-year-old reckoned that the team should have swapped the drivers earlier instead of letting the situation extend to the final few laps. He further admitted that Norris was nowhere near on pace with his teammate. Thus, much emphasis is required on improving the communication within the team.
Despite the team acting fairly and reinstating the position, the Brit lost out on crucial points in the championship. With more than two dozen driver’s championships being decided with a margin of seven or fewer points, McLaren might regret switching places in Hungary if a similar instance happens.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)