The Woking-based team hinted after the Italian Grand Prix that they were fully ready to back Lando Norris in his bid to win the drivers’ championship. McLaren have come under fire after recent performances which have seen them rapidly catch Red Bull in the constructors’ title fight but not as much in the drivers’ title, with Norris closing in on Verstappen in the drivers’ battle but missing out on some potentially crucial points due to their reluctance to enforce team orders.
The team initially seemed happy to treat their drivers equally, however with Norris now 62 points behind the leading Dutchman having trailed by 84 just five races ago, McLaren is looking to change strategy. Team principal Andrea Stella said that the time has come to ensure McLaren maximise point-scoring chances for Norris, adding: “We need to be better at capitalising the opportunities that Red Bull at the moment seem to offer by not being in the usual possibility of competing for podiums.”
