P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Verstappen exposes McLaren championship flaw
The Italian Grand Prix raised concerns about McLaren’s driver lineup issues ahead of 2026, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were perceived as too nice and lacked the aggressiveness of a driver like Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s strong performance in the RB21 highlighted McLaren’s missed opportunities for Norris and Piastri to assert themselves as championship contenders. McLaren’s decision to pit Piastri first during the race once again exposed their driver dynamics, with Norris not being assertive enough to secure the advantage. The lack of a killer edge from Piastri and Norris in crucial moments showcased their limitations in competing at the highest level of Formula 1. As McLaren is expected to win the constructors’ championship, neither Norris nor Piastri are considered strong contenders against Verstappen or other top drivers in the upcoming 2026 season.
