Will Buxton says McLaren did something at Monza that F1 rivals Mercedes would never do

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With just eight races remaining in the 2024 Formula 1 championship, McLaren could win both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles.

McLaren is currently the benchmark team to beat, but they have only won three races with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Despite this, Norris is Max Verstappen’s closest rival and with Piastri outperforming Sergio Perez, McLaren is now within eighth points of Red Bull and faces a shot at taking their first Constructors’ title since 1998.

McLaren has come under fire recently for letting their drivers race under ‘papaya rules’ which has seen Piastri take points off Norris, notably at races in Hungary, Spa, and Monza.

The pair started on the front row at Monza but Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc pulled off a masterstroke in strategy and won the race, while Norris and Piastri were relegated to a two-three. Discussing their race after Monza on The Race podcast, Will Buxton said McLaren did one thing Mercedes would never do.

Will Buxton ‘didn’t get’ McLaren celebrations after Monza

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer criticised McLaren for not swapping Piastri and Norris when the Australian emerged ahead during the race.

Peter Windsor believes Norris potentially made a mistake in his recent contract negotiations with the team, having not stipulated that Piastri supports him during a title race.

Buxton felt McLaren’s celebrations after losing the race at Monza were something rivals that have won championships are unlikely to participate in, knowing they could have won the race.

“To celebrate a two-three with a celebratory photograph when you’ve thrown away a one-two on the grid, I don’t get that,” said Buxton.

“You wouldn’t see a Mercedes celebrating a two-three with a photograph when they threw away a win. It’s all about getting your head back in that championship mentality and I don’t think McLaren have it.”

McLaren must back a driver to secure title

With eight races left in the championship, there are eight fewer opportunities to make a dent in the points lead of Red Bull and Verstappen.

The Dutchman has been clinging on to the lead of the Drivers’ Championship after a strong start to the year, but recent results suggest that could become difficult to defend in the final few races of the year.

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Singapore and Baku are likely to be difficult races for Red Bull based on their form so far this year, meaning they could face a considerable points gap coming out of the next double-header.

Those within Red Bull have reportedly already conceded that the Constructors’ title might be a stretch to win, but Verstappen will be doing everything he can to retain his lead and take a fourth title in a row.