A Divided Strategy and the Pressure on N… read more
McLaren, embroiled in a tense internal battle for the 2024 Formula One World Championship, appear to have made a crucial decision regarding their driver priorities. According to respected F1 pundit and six-time Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher, the team has internally designated Oscar Piastri as their primary driver for the remainder of the season. This decision comes following a dramatic collision between Piastri and teammate Lando Norris at the Canadian Grand Prix, which severely impacted Norris’ race and amplified the pre-existing debate surrounding McLaren’s strategy of fielding both drivers in a title fight.
The incident at the Canadian Grand Prix, culminating in a costly DNF for Norris, ignited a renewed discussion about the wisdom of McLaren’s double-driver championship push. Schumacher, speaking on Sky Germany’s podcast Backstage Pit Lane, unequivocally suggests the team has shifted its focus to the championship-leading Piastri. He cites Piastri’s superior performance and suggests Norris exhibits a lack of the mental fortitude required to win a title.
“I believe that it has now been decided internally that Piastri is the man on whom the team will focus in terms of the World Championship,” Schumacher stated. His assessment hinges on a perceived discrepancy in driving style and resilience between the two drivers. He points to Norris’ “weaknesses” and “too many mistakes,” including the collision in Canada, as evidence that Piastri represents a more reliable and less error-prone option for the remainder of the season. Schumacher’s observation draws a direct line from the on-track performance to the perceived mental strength necessary to withstand the pressure of a championship race.
Norris, while acknowledging full responsibility for the collision and issuing a heartfelt apology, has faced scrutiny from Schumacher and others regarding his mental resilience. The former Williams driver questions whether Norris possesses the unwavering focus and composure needed to consistently perform under the intense pressure of a title run. “He has apologised and that shows what a great person he is,” Schumacher acknowledged, but then added a crucial caveat: “But it’s no use, because great people rarely win titles.” This statement encapsulates the core of Schumacher’s criticism, implying that while personal attributes like kindness and remorse are valuable, they are insufficient in the cutthroat world of Formula One championships.
McLaren’s internal decision-making process and its execution have come under the microscope before. Team chief Zak Brown was criticized following the 2024 Italian Grand Prix for not providing sufficient support to Norris, who was engaged in a fierce championship battle with eventual champion Max Verstappen. This incident, alongside the current predicament with Piastri and Norris, casts a shadow on the team’s strategic approach and its perceived commitment to both drivers.
Norris entered the 2024 season as a heavy favourite to build on his impressive runner-up finish in the previous season. However, the season has been less than ideal for the Briton. He has proven himself with two victories this year, but the combination of his team-mate’s strong performance and his own errors has consistently placed him behind Piastri in the championship standings. The Canadian Grand Prix incident only exacerbates the pressure and anxiety weighing upon him, making the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix a critical race in his championship hopes.
The internal decision to prioritize Piastri, as per Schumacher’s assertion, creates a clear divide between the two McLaren drivers. While Norris remains a valuable asset to the team, the focus appears shifted toward maximizing Piastri’s potential in a bid for the championship. The Austrian Grand Prix will be a crucial test of Norris’ resilience and ability to overcome the recent setback, while further solidifying Piastri’s momentum in the championship race. The race weekend presents a new chapter in McLaren’s title pursuit, a chapter marked by a shifting dynamic between two talented, yet potentially contrasting, drivers.
