Nico Rosberg shares ‘what matters most’ to McLaren after Lando Norris’s Monza pole position

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McLaren are in a position no one would have expected at the start of the season after locking out the front row of the grid at Monza.

The Italian Grand Prix could be the moment where the momentum officially shifts in the Constructors’ Championship.

McLaren have to overcome a 30-point deficit to overtake Red Bull and if both sets of drivers finish the race where they start, that advantage will be eliminated.

However, McLaren may sense that they have an opportunity to end the campaign with both titles.

Lando Norris has to close a 70-point gap at the top of the Drivers’ Championship and Max Verstappen won’t make that easy.

Even though team principal Christian Horner believes Red Bull have the fourth-fastest car right now, the Dutchman has shown he’s capable of outperforming his car’s capabilities.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, former world champion Nico Rosberg explained what he thinks will be McLaren’s priority this year.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

There’s a feeling at McLaren that Oscar Piastri may have to be sacrificed to help Norris win the title.

It would make sense for the Australian to help his teammate but winning the Constructors’ Championship should be the immediate focus.

Nico Rosberg shares ‘what matters most’ to McLaren this season

Reflecting on a perfect qualifying session for McLaren, Rosberg said: “What matters most here is OK…for a team it’s the money and the Constructors’ Championship.

“But, I mean for prestige and everything it’s the Drivers’ Championship that matters the most and McLaren have a real opportunity here if they put all the eggs in Lando’s basket.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration

“You have to do that and I think also the fans would be accepting of that if the scenario comes in the race.

“As Lando has shown that he is the fastest driver out there.”

David Coulthard makes Lando Norris comparison to Ayrton Senna

It speaks volumes about how well McLaren are performing that neither Norris nor Piastri were completely happy with their fastest laps in qualifying.

Norris even apologised for his final run on Saturday before being told that he was on pole position.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

David Coulthard has compared Norris to Ayrton Senna after his dominant race win at Zandvoort.

It was only the second victory of his Formula 1 career but Norris looked assured once he overtook Verstappen.

All eyes at Monza will be on how Norris and Piastri get off the line with the Brit yet to lead a lap after starting on pole position.

They both got bogged down during the second phase of their starts in the Netherlands and lost positions going into the first corner.

Lining up alongside each other may help them defend their advantage but it’s a much longer run down to turn one at Monza.

The newly-redesigned chicane has proven troublesome in the past and McLaren will be hoping both drivers stay out of trouble.