Guenther Steiner criticises McLaren’s decision not to target Norris for world title – What if McLaren regret not naming Lando Norris as their number one driver at the start of the 2024 season? Should Norris fall just short of winning the World Championship, could McLaren have missed a crucial opportunity by not backing him decisively?
According to former Formula One team principal Guenther Steiner, McLaren could be left wondering. Steiner recently said, “I would have done that,” in reference to making Norris a priority.
Speaking on the *Beyond the Grid* podcast, Steiner explained that while he doesn’t try to tell McLaren team principal Andrea Stella what to do, he believes there are moments in a season when a team must act boldly if they are serious about winning the ultimate prize.
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The case for prioritising Norris: Steiner’s argument
During his conversation on Beyond the Grid, Steiner outlined his view on the strategic decisions facing top teams like McLaren. He argued that while the Constructors’ Championship is an important goal, the Drivers’ Championship should take precedence if a team has the chance to win both.
“If you have the chance to win the Constructors’ Championship as a team, it doesn’t really matter who finishes first and who finishes second,” said Steiner.
“But if you have the chance to win both titles in the same year, I think you have to try.”
Steiner pointed out that it’s important to involve the second driver in these discussions and make sure they understand the bigger picture. Oscar Piastri, in his second season with McLaren, needs to be reassured that his time will come, even if it means making sacrifices this year.
“Oscar is still young and his time will come,” suggested Steiner. “The team should tell him: ‘We will support you if you’re in a similar position in the future. But even if he doesn’t agree, the team’s goals are bigger than any one driver.”
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Steiner was quick to admit that prioritising one driver over another is never an easy conversation to have. For a highly competitive driver like Piastri, being asked to play second fiddle would undoubtedly cause some friction.
“Oscar won’t leave the meeting happy if he’s told ‘you can’t win’ or ‘you have to let Lando pass’,” admitted Steiner.
“But sometimes success comes out of dissatisfaction. And everything has its price”.
The crux of Steiner’s argument is that F1 is a team sport, and individual success must sometimes be put aside for the greater good. Losing a championship by a few points, especially when a small sacrifice could have made the difference, would be devastating for McLaren and its hundreds of employees.
“How disappointing would it be if Lando didn’t win the world championship for McLaren? It would be a huge disappointment for the hundreds of people who work there. And if that disappointment is because one team member wasn’t willing to make a small sacrifice, then you have to think about how that affects everyone.”
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The Drivers’ Championship: More important than ever
Steiner also noted that the importance of the Drivers’ Championship has grown in recent years. In the past, the Constructors’ Championship carried more weight because it was seen as the true measure of a team’s success. However, the evolution of Formula One has shifted the focus to the drivers themselves.
“The drivers are more visible now and they’ve become the heroes of the sport again,” says Steiner.
“That’s why it would be so important for McLaren to win the Drivers’ Championship.”
The increased visibility of drivers means that individual achievements resonate more with fans and the wider motorsport community, making it even more important for a team like McLaren to produce a world champion.
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Verstappen: The biggest hurdle to Norris’ success
While Steiner is keen for McLaren to back Norris, he’s also aware of the immense challenge they face – Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion has been a dominant force in F1, and Steiner believes Verstappen is the best driver in the sport at the moment.
“Max is young, he’s hungry for success and he’s a natural racer. He’s incredibly talented,” said Steiner.
Steiner went on to compare Verstappen to another of the sport’s greats, Lewis Hamilton, noting that while Hamilton is a seven-time world champion and remains a fantastic driver, Verstappen’s hunger gives him an edge.
“Lewis is undoubtedly a fantastic driver,” said Steiner. “But does he still have the same hunger for success as Max? I’m not so sure. Maybe Max will be different in five years’ time, but at the moment he’s the best.”
The evolution in Verstappen’s driving style has also impressed Steiner. Once known for his aggressive, risk-taking style, the Dutchman has matured into a more calculated competitor, making him even harder to beat.
“We’re not seeing the same Max as four or five years ago,” said Steiner.
“He’s more calculated now and that makes him even better.”
Norris vs. Verstappen: A battle of small margins
While Steiner clearly respects Norris’ talent, he believes there are key differences between the two drivers. For Steiner, it’s not a question of ability – Norris, he argues, is just as talented as Verstappen. But he questions whether Norris has the same relentless drive and willingness to do whatever it takes to win.
“In terms of raw talent, Lando is as strong as Max,” said Steiner. “But is he as aggressive? Is he as hungry for success? Would he be willing to do everything Max does to win? It’s the little things that make the difference.”
Ultimately, Steiner believes Verstappen’s combination of talent, hunger and maturity puts him ahead of his rivals, including Norris.
“If we’re talking about the complete race driver, Max is the best at the moment.”
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McLaren’s dilemma: will they back Norris?
Ahead of the 2024 season, McLaren face a crucial decision. With the chance to win both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, the team must decide whether to prioritise Lando Norris and give him the best possible chance of winning the title. But such a decision is fraught with challenges, including managing team dynamics and dealing with a fiercely competitive team-mate in Piastri.
Guenther Steiner’s perspective serves as a warning: sometimes success requires tough decisions, even if they come at a cost. McLaren must now weigh up the potential price of not backing Norris against the rewards of a potential championship win.
As Steiner said, “Everything has its price”. The question is whether McLaren are prepared to pay it.
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