McLaren Urged to Prioritize Norris to Combat Verstappen's Charge
Former Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner urges McLaren to prioritize Lando Norris in the championship fight, even if it means sacrificing Oscar Piastri. Following Norris's disqualification at the Las Vegas GP, his lead over Max Verstappen has shrunk to a mere 24 points, prompting calls for strategic team orders to give Norris the best chance against 'the animal' Verstappen.
Guenther Steiner believes McLaren must make a crucial strategic decision to back Lando Norris fully in the championship battle, potentially at the expense of Oscar Piastri. This comes after Norris’s lead over Max Verstappen narrowed significantly following a disqualification at the Las Vegas GP.
Why it matters:
After years of development, Lando Norris has emerged as a genuine title contender, but his lead over Max Verstappen is precarious. McLaren’s willingness to implement team orders could be the decisive factor in whether Norris can challenge for the championship against a dominant Red Bull.
The details:
- Steiner's Stance: Former Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner argued on the Red Flag podcast that McLaren needs to actively support Norris. He stated, “If Oscar is leading the race and Lando is second, and they don’t let Lando pass, I would be shocked.”
- Championship Context: Norris finished second in the Las Vegas race but was later disqualified due to technical infringements. This reduced his lead over Verstappen to just 24 points, making the championship fight much tighter than it initially appeared.
- Strategic Dilemma: Steiner emphasized the need to prevent Verstappen from 'eating up' the competition, suggesting McLaren must decide whether to support one driver or risk losing ground to Red Bull. He questioned, “Do we want to be eaten up by the animal, or do we try to help one guy?”
By the numbers:
- 24 points: Norris's current lead over Max Verstappen after the Las Vegas GP disqualification.
- 9 mm: The maximum allowed wear on the skid block, which both McLaren cars exceeded, leading to their disqualification.
What's next:
The looming question for McLaren is whether they will implement clear team orders to favor Norris. Such a decision, while potentially controversial, could be crucial for maximizing Norris's championship chances against Verstappen, especially given the narrow points gap. The team's approach in upcoming races will reveal their strategy to tackle the championship challenge.