In a bold move that could tip the scales in the 2024 Formula 1 championship, McLaren has made it clear that Lando Norris is their chosen contender to dethrone Max Verstappen. With the Dutch GP already in Norris’s bag after a commanding 22-second victory, McLaren is doubling down on their title aspirations, even if it means sidelining Oscar Piastri in the process.
Despite starting from pole at the Italian GP, McLaren couldn’t replicate their Dutch dominance, settling for a 2-3 finish. Both Norris and Piastri are hot on Verstappen’s heels in the standings, but team principal Andrea Stella has made a decisive call: the team will back Norris in the fight for the championship. The message is unambiguous—Norris is McLaren’s best shot at glory.
“Based on the current standings and the points gap, it’s clear that Lando is in the strongest position to win,” Stella said, leaving no room for doubt about where the team’s loyalties lie. With Norris holding the upper hand, McLaren has vowed to put all their resources behind the 24-year-old Briton as they prepare to take the fight to Red Bull and Verstappen.
Stella didn’t mince words when discussing Norris’s challenges, particularly his struggle to convert pole positions into race leads—a weakness that was glaringly evident when Piastri overtook him. While acknowledging Norris’s strong performances, Stella emphasized the need for Norris to refine his race starts and capitalize on his pole positions. “We’re committed to working with Lando to iron out these issues,” Stella said, signaling a concerted effort to sharpen Norris’s title bid.
As the season hurtles toward its climax, McLaren’s strategy is clear: they are all in on Norris. The team is determined to help him address his shortcomings and emerge as a formidable challenger to Verstappen’s reign. For Oscar Piastri, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but for McLaren, the path to the title is paved with tough decisions. The battle lines are drawn, and McLaren has made its choice—Norris is their man.
