P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren will now prioritise Lando Norris over team-mate Oscar Piastri in a bid to overturn Max Verstappen’s 2024 Formula 1 drivers’ championship lead
McLaren has decided to prioritize Lando Norris over teammate Oscar Piastri in an effort to catch up with Max Verstappen’s lead in the 2024 Formula 1 drivers’ championship race. With McLaren’s development progress boosting Norris’s title chances, the team is under pressure to support him more strongly. Despite a 62-point gap between Norris and Verstappen, McLaren is now shifting focus to boosting Norris’s performance for the upcoming races. Team boss Andrea Stella confirmed the change in strategy, aiming to support Norris while maintaining fairness to both drivers. McLaren’s approach includes balancing competitive advantage and team interest, with Piastri willing to sacrifice for the team’s greater success. The team will likely manage race tactics to ensure Norris maximizes points, potentially involving in-race orders and strategic position swaps.
