Montoya: McLaren can be Champions but too late now for Norris
F1 NewsSunday, 13 October 2024 at 08:30
Ex-Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya weighed in on McLaren’s chances in the 2024 Formula 1 Championship, expressing confidence in their potential to clinch the constructors’ title but doubting Lando Norris's could beat Max Verstappen to the drivers' crown.
With six rounds remaining, McLaren leads the F1 constructors' standings by 41 points, while Norris trails reigning F1 world Champion Verstappen by 52 points in the drivers’ standings.
Speaking about McLaren’s resurgence and the strategic choices the team has made, Montoya questioned whether McLaren should have named Norris their number-one driver earlier in the season.
"McLaren had the opportunity to close the gap and put more pressure on Max, but it’s maybe now too late," said Montoya, adding that it was a missed opportunity to maximise Norris’ points haul.
Montoya believes McLaren should have prioritised Norris once it became clear he had a realistic shot at competing with Verstappen, especially given Sergio Perez’s struggles with the RB20 this season. The Mexican, currently eighth in the drivers' standings with 144 points, has had a tough year, while teammate Verstappen, who dominated earlier, is on 331 points with seven wins in the first ten races.
In stark contrast, Oscar Piastri has been a revelation and is also a race winner this year and with Norris, McLaren have outscored the Red Bull (almost) one-man-show.
Three Sprint Races mean more points and opportunities for the 2024 F1 title contenders
With three Sprint Race weekends among the six remaining rounds, Montoya highlighted the importance of the upcoming races in the United States, Mexico, and Las Vegas as crucial moments in the title fight.
“Red Bull, I think, have started to solve their problems with the car,” Montoya observed during an interview with the media team at Gambling Zone, indicating that a new Red Bull package for the United States Grand Prix could help Verstappen reassert his dominance.
McLaren, meanwhile, has built its title bid on consistency and tyre management, even if their outright speed isn’t “astonishing,” according to Montoya. However, he warned that the team’s advantage could be eroded if changes to their car’s aerodynamic balance - particularly with the front and rear wings - impact their performance in high-speed corners.
"That’s the million-dollar question: how much is McLaren going to lose with the rear wing?" quipped Montoya, whose analysis suggests that while they might have the upper hand in the constructors’ battle, Verstappen’s consistency on the podium - even with a car that has dropped down the pecking order - could prove decisive in the drivers' title race, making it difficult for Norris to close the gap.
Montoya: I think Williams is on the same path as McLaren
The 49-year-old Columbian, a seven-time GP winner, also had praise for another former Formula 1 giant, Williams, which is in the midst of its own rebuilding process. Under team principal James Vowles, Williams is showing signs of a revival, much like McLaren did in recent years. A key statement of intent is the signing of Carlos Sainz, who will join Alex Albon at the team in 2025.
Montoya credited Williams for rebuilding the team from the ground up rather than seeking quick fixes: “I think Williams is on the same path as McLaren, but maybe one or two years behind. They’re getting better. They’ve realised they’ve got to rebuild from the ground up and not just patch things up. I think Williams has a pretty bright future ahead of them."
Montoya also hinted at potential tension between Sainz and Albon as they push each other to lead the team’s charge.
"Alex is going to be under pressure to outperform Carlos," he noted, predicting that fireworks might erupt within the team as the two highly competitive drivers vie for dominance.
With McLaren leading the charge in the 2024 season and Williams on the rise, Montoya’s insights highlight the ongoing battles between historic F1 teams as they work to reclaim their places at the top of the sport.
2024 F1 Standings after 18 Rounds
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