Depends on whether the other teams are able to be competitive at any of the remaining races - McLaren seem to be the only relatively consistent team, so at least let them race and keep things interesting.
Poll: Official 2024 Italian Grand Prix Race Thread - Autodromo Nazionale Monza - Race 16/24
- Thread starter chrismscotland
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Caporegime
I really think it's premature to be calling on Piastri to play a support role. He was faster than Norris yesterday and had every right to pass him and beat him on track - and good on him for doing so. The last thing he'll want to do is paint himself into a wingman role already - next year's WDC could well be up for the grabs between him and Norris if McLaren do have the best car.
I don't think you need to be a Max or Lewis to win a title. Norris might not be in the same conversation as that pair, but I can see him alongside Rosberg, Button, Hill, or Räikkönen. If Norris does pull a miracle out of the bag and take the WDC he will have earned it.
it's going to be incredibly dull ? really I think we have had the best races compared to when no one was getting anywhere close Max , the packs closed up usually happens after year or 2 after new regulations
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I'm also happy that the McLaren's are able to race, but agree it's likely going to cost them an increased chance at the WDC. I'd written off the possibility of anyone but Max winning this year as I thought he'd done enough early on to take it, but I'll admit that I was wrong to do so. I still think it's all but his - particularly as the other teams trade wins diluting the points a bit. Perhaps McLaren made a similar mistake to me and set their goals elsewhere. Now that the chance of WDC is back on they've not set the groundwork for maximising it.
I like both McLaren drivers so if one were to always bow to the other that'd be a shame for me personally. That being said I think Norris is currently slightly better (from about lap 5 to the end), Piastri is certainly quick but not quite there yet on managing tyres for the whole race in the same way. I think that can make it seem harder work for him to achieve the same result if that makes sense?
I like both McLaren drivers so if one were to always bow to the other that'd be a shame for me personally. That being said I think Norris is currently slightly better (from about lap 5 to the end), Piastri is certainly quick but not quite there yet on managing tyres for the whole race in the same way. I think that can make it seem harder work for him to achieve the same result if that makes sense?
Soldato
Great move from Ferrari after everyone else gave up with the 1 stop strat.
Where has Red Bulls pace gone?
Where has Red Bulls pace gone?
I agree that Norris hasn't helped, especially his starts.
However he is still 44 points ahead of Piastri pretty much on merit, and therefore has a far, far greater chance of winning the WDC.
My thought process is not coming from what is necessarily "fair" etc. I'm thinking more along the lines of if I was managing McLaren and wanted to win the WDC.
To win a title, sometimes you must be ruthless with your drivers and get one to fall in line to help the other achieve the title.
If I was Zak, as soon as it was apparent that the McLaren was faster than the Red Bull and that Norris could beat Max, I would have immediately got Piastri to play rear guard and maximise Norris' chance of winning the title. Not out of favouritism, but due to the simple fact that Norris was well ahead of Piastri in the standings.
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Associate
Although RB and the FIA deny it I think rebull were using the brake thing that got banned. Because of that the can't setup the car for more straight line speed as they would be much slower in the corners as I believe they were using it to make up the lower downforce they would have had with a quicker less drag car. Perez being able to get closer to max lately is making me think this true even more as I don't think he would have liked how it handled as he has always preferred a stable car so he can drive smoothly.
Totally disagree here.
It isn't premature for this season, and at this stage at all. Norris has beaten Piastri in 10 out of the 16 races so far. Would have been 11 had Max not taken him out in Austria. He's also 44 points ahead of him.
I'd argue that Piastri should have performed better through the first half of the season and been close on points if he didn't want to have to play the wingman role when his teammate could realistically now win the title.
Piastri should rightfully get his chance at the start of next season again. For this season, it's silly of McLaren to not force team orders. No one remembers the runners up.
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Associate
I agree with this as well but Norris should have been closer to pressure the team in to making a decision at the end of the race.
Soldato
I actually agree, people are happy for Perez to play wingman in a team they favour, but god forbid someone have a chance at challenging for the WDC then team orders should not be followed!!!!
I also do not like norris.
I prefer piastri, Russell, sainz, Hamilton and leclerc.
Just something I don't like.
From a team perspective I am surprised though. I would have thought at imola it would have been formation start and get the one-two.
I'm glad they are letting them race. Really glad. But I could understand why they'd favour norris.
I'm glad they are letting them race. Really glad. But I could understand why they'd favour norris.
Don
and 2 penalty points on his license, which means he has accrued 12 and will miss the next race
Fair point, but it does feel watered-down - I mainly don't want it to happen at the expense of racing. People put down Oscar at the Dutch GP, but at both Hungary and now Monza, Norris couldn't do anything, which makes me think it's the car and Piastri is just as good as Norris but maybe lacking slightly in quali pace.
"It's going to be" i.e. future tense. Previous races have been fine - nothing groundbreaking but above average compared to what we've had, however, they would've been way worse with team orders instead of real racing. I'm saying that I don't want dull team orders for the rest of the season either - let them race.
Man of Honour
Crikey, Red bull have gone off the deep end. What happened?
Don
A) Newey left and no one else knows how to do anything
B) Their asymmetric braking loophole was closed
C) They thought they had enough of an advantage at the start of the season so had moved development onto 2025 and/or 2026
D) They don't have enough money to bring upgrades for specific circuits e.g. Monza spec wing due to Checo crashing too much this season
E) Supply of Coco Pops has run out
F) Poor wind tunnel vs car correlation with regards to upgrades
G) Other teams have taken huge steps forward
*Some or all of the above may be exaggerated for entertainment purposes, but probably some truth in there somewhere
Soldato
B, C, D, F and G are on the money.
A: You would have though that the folks working with/for Newey would have been learning from the Master, even if it was just making a Big List Of Things That Worked and a Big List Of Crap Ideas We Tried.
E: Shameful if true as Dr. Marko should have been able to sign a Coco Pops deal with Aldi or Lidl at the start of the season.
I agree. For all the talk of "well Norris hasn't earned it yet" well he'd certainly be in better shape to challenge Max if he had a rear-gunner in Piastri - not simply to drive in P2 but to use strategy etc. to hold off any challenges to P1. That is exactly what a rear-gunner is supposed to do. Ironically people are saying "well Norris flubbed the start again in Monza" which is true, but had there been team orders he wouldn't have. Doesn't matter what the world thinks of his ability to lead from pole at that stage, if he finishes P1 then he finishes P1 and takes home the points. End of story. Piastri won't win the WDC, if he actually is quicker than Norris and they're coming home in P1+2 then it'll be quite the statement to have to stop on the line to let Norris past wouldn't it..
I think RB fans are currently torn between staying quiet, or talking absolute jibberish like arguing that their competitors shouldn't be using team orders because it damages the racing.. conveniently forgetting they've been using team orders for years now, and there's currently 7 cars on the grid that could realistically win a race on any given day
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