Norris's F1 Title: An 'Academic' Debate for McLaren
Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri by 24 points in McLaren's internal title race, but Team Principal Andrea Stella dismisses talk of title ownership as 'academic,' emphasizing a race-by-race focus. With Max Verstappen still mathematically in contention, the final three races—including a crucial Las Vegas GP—will determine the championship outcome, as McLaren aims for a 1-2 finish while improving on past performance at challenging venues.
Lando Norris holds a 24-point lead over Oscar Piastri in the internal McLaren championship, but Team Principal Andrea Stella dismisses the debate over who 'owns' the title as 'academic.' With three race weekends remaining and 83 points still on the table, the season remains tightly contested, with Norris having recently regained momentum after a mid-season slump for Piastri.
Why it matters:
- The McLaren intra-team battle is currently the most compelling championship narrative, as they are on course for a 1-2 finish, potentially fending off Max Verstappen's late surge.
- Stella's comments emphasize a pragmatic, race-by-race approach, highlighting the team's focus on maximizing points rather than engaging in speculative title ownership.
- The outcome of this internal fight will define the season for McLaren and establish a clear pecking order between its highly talented young drivers.
The details:
- Momentum Swings: Norris initially led the championship, winning in Australia. Piastri then took the lead in Saudi Arabia and extended it to 34 points after the Dutch Grand Prix when an engine failure cost Norris.
- Norris's Resurgence: A poor run of form for Piastri from Azerbaijan to Brazil, combined with Norris's dominant performance in Brazil (two pole positions, two wins in the Sprint weekend), allowed Norris to regain the lead.
- Current Standings: Norris currently leads Piastri by 24 points with three race weekends left. Max Verstappen trails Norris by 49 points.
- Stella's Philosophy: Andrea Stella stresses the importance of focusing on 'one race at a time' and 'maximising the points' for both drivers. He views the 'owns, doesn't own' title debate as 'academic,' emphasizing execution over speculation.
- Vegas Significance: The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix could be a deciding factor. A Norris victory coupled with a P6 or lower for Verstappen would eliminate the Red Bull driver from championship contention.
- McLaren's Vegas Hopes: Despite a challenging 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Stella is confident McLaren will perform better this year, having learned from past lessons and expecting less tire graining.
What's next:
With races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi remaining, the McLaren battle is far from over. The team's ability to 'extract the full performance' from the car will be crucial, as Stella acknowledged some reservations about recent performance in certain races. If Norris can maintain his current form and Piastri can regain his earlier momentum, the final rounds promise an intense conclusion to McLaren's dominant season.