F1 Today | McLaren 'discuss' Monza, reeling Red Bull, Newey rumour reaction
F1 News
It's the Monday after the Italian Grand Prix, and there are many talking points after a busy weekend at Monza. Charles Leclerc drove to a fantastic victory in front of the adoring Tifosi crowd, but behind him, there is lots to unpack. McLaren will have a 'discussion' after the lap one overtake between their drivers, the paddock have their say on a reeling Red Bull, and the name Adrian Newey is back in the paddock as Aston Martin are rumoured to have signed the master designer.
McLaren to 'discuss' Piastri's 'aggressive' overtake
It may have been a Ferrari victory around the 'Temple of Speed', but McLaren were, once again, the fastest team out there. However, they could not capitalise to the maximum, and neither could Lando Norris. After starting from pole position, the Brit lost out to Oscar Piastri on lap 1 as the Australian made a brave move around the outside of his teammate. Norris could not get that position back, and he lost out on vital championship points.
After the race, team principal Andrea Stella was happy with his drivers fighting and making risky overtakes like that at the front of the grid, even with both titles on the line. However, CEO Zak Brown has said that there will be a 'discussion' at the British team after Piastri's "aggressive move." Will that discussion just be to tone down the overtakes? Or will team orders finally be used by McLaren to aid Norris in his drivers' title challenge?
Reaction to a reeling Red Bull
While McLaren have taken the initiative since the Miami Grand Prix, it has been going from bad to worse for Red Bull. After what was a dominating start to the 2024 season, all indicators pointed towards a repeat of 2024. However, that has not been the case, and the Austrian team are faltering hugely as McLaren close up to them in the constructors' championship.
Toto Wolff came out and said that it was the 'worst race by Red Bull' in a number of years, and Nico Rosberg also was amazed at the downfall of the Austrian team but said they 'don't understand' their own issues.
He may be right. Max Verstappen reverted back to an old floor at Zandvoort after the newly updated floor seemed to not be working efficiently. However, Christian Horner then came out and skirted around the question of scrapping the new floor. Red Bull are spiralling out of control with no real answers to stop it.
Newey rumours fill the paddock once more
It has been a while since the F1 world had Adrian Newey rumours filling the paddock since the British designer left Red Bull, but they are now back again. Some stories suggest that Newey will be signing with Aston Martin, and an announcement is expected in the next week or two.
Fernando Alonso was asked this after the race in Monza, but he did not respond to the bait that was put down by the reporters. "It's still only rumours," said the two-time world champion, giving nothing away.