‘Maybe it’s too late’ for Norris and McLaren

Before a final stretch full of suspense in the race for the two world titles in Formula 1, Juan Pablo Montoya is not necessarily the most optimistic for McLaren. The Colombian is one of those who think that the Woking team should have bet earlier on Lando Norris against Max Verstappen, while understanding the capital importance of the constructors’ championship for a team which has not won it since 1998 .

“Did McLaren make a mistake in not making Lando their number one sooner?”asks the man who drove for the English team in 2005 and 2006 in an interview with Gambling Zone. “What is difficult for McLaren is that Max continues to get on the podium. But McLaren had the opportunity to close the gap and put more pressure on him, and maybe it’s too late now.”

“McLaren should have decided earlier who was going to be their number one. It’s a good lesson for all the teams. They should tell themselves that halfway through the season, whoever is in the lead becomes number one. […] I hope McLaren doesn’t arrive in Abu Dhabi thinking that these four points here and six points there are not enough to be world champion.”

“The question is whether the constructors’ championship is more important for them. I know for Lando the drivers’ title is the priority, but for McLaren winning the constructors’ title would be something huge. Maybe they have analyzed this and thought that the chances of winning the drivers’ title were too low, and they decided to concentrate on the constructors’ championship.

McLaren’s speed isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s their consistency and the way they manage the tires that counts.

Juan Pablo Montoya also says he is curious to see the dynamic that will take place starting next week on the Circuit of the Americas. If he sees one strength that should continue in favor of McLaren, it is the consistency of its car. “McLaren’s speed is not mind-blowing, but it’s their consistency and the way they manage the tires that counts”he said.

However, Red Bull seems to have come a long way in understanding its recent difficulties, and this is what weakens the positive trend at McLaren in recent Grands Prix.

“I think Red Bull has started to solve its problems with its car”advance Juan Pablo Montoya. “I believe there is a package of developments coming for the United States Grand Prix. If suddenly they have sorted out the problems, may Pérez start beating Oscar [Piastri] and Max starts winning races again, the constructors’ championship can change again.”