Montreal (AFP) – The crash that McLaren dreaded, but that everyone else was waiting for, will not change the team’s approach, even though Lando Norris lost valuable points in Canada. Although history suggests it is unwise to allow team-mates to compete for wins and drivers’ titles—a lesson McLaren learned notably with Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1989 and 1990—the team’s current management believes in their approach.
AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from Sunday’s intriguing Canadian Grand Prix, which George Russell won for Mercedes ahead of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, reshaping the landscape of the championship:
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**McLaren’s internal scrap for glory**
Tough talks are expected in Woking this week after Sunday’s 67th lap crash at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, when Norris accidentally drove into his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri. However, these discussions are unlikely to prevent more skirmishes as the pair battle on in Austria and beyond. Piastri, whose fourth place extended his championship lead to 22 points over Norris, once again demonstrated cool pragmatism, while his team-mate slipped into a mist of misjudgment and ended up pointless.
“I made a fool of myself,” the Briton admitted. His Australian team-mate accepted an apology. Team boss Andrea Stella demanded analysis and discussion of precise rules of engagement. “Good luck with that!” was the response of most experienced paddock observers.
“There will be good conversations, but they will happen when we are rested and calm,” said Stella. “Being free to race and being clear on how to race is a value of racing itself.” He added that he wished to avoid controlling his drivers excessively from the pit wall. “Today’s episode doesn’t change our approach. If anything, it will strengthen the principles that require more caution by our drivers.” A call for advice from former McLaren bosses Ron Dennis or Martin Whitmarsh, on how they handled Prost and Senna and later Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, might be fruitful.
“Lando himself will have to show his character to overcome this episode,” said Stella. “He has to make sure that he only takes the learnings; he only takes what will make him a stronger driver.” Piastri, on the other hand, has the luxury of five wins from 10 races, a normally-dominant car and a clear lead. For Norris, more of Sunday’s self-destruction could open the way for other teams and drivers. McLaren failed to claim a podium for the first time this year but still leads the constructors’ championship by 175 points over Mercedes. Their lack of ultimate pace in Montreal revealed a weakness that their rivals need to exploit by concentrating on more updates and more speed for the next 14 races instead of switching focus to 2026.
**Maturing Russell shows poise**
It may be too late for this year, but Russell’s composed victory drive at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and his general demeanor suggested he has found the poise to build a serious title challenge. He did not give four-time champion Verstappen any opportunity and claimed his fourth career success. Mercedes now face the challenge of giving him a car to keep winning on a wider range of circuits.
Red Bull’s failed protest against Russell on Sunday night—for alleged improper driving behind the Safety Car—sounded desperate, failing to land a punch in the race.
**Ferrari crisis is home-made**
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari this year has coincided with an uncompetitive car. Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disappointed again after a weekend scarred by talk of a ‘crisis’ at Maranello and harsh words. Leclerc blamed himself after finishing fifth, while Hamilton struggled bravely to sixth after hitting a groundhog.
The team closed ranks, recognizing their problems are home-made and need time to fix. “A long time,” according to Hamilton, who, with seven driver titles, has recognized areas and issues that require managed change and improved relations with the Italian media.
© 2024 AFP
