Lando Norris to be managed by Mercedes (Update)

McLaren boss Zak Brown manages Norris today – major conflict of interest

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Mercedes and McLaren have denied reports about the management of Lando Norris.

Italy's Auto Moto claimed that a company headed by McLaren driver Norris' wealthy father Adam was involved in brokering the team's recently announced Mercedes engine deal.

The report, which appears to have now been removed from the Auto Moto website, also said 19-year-old Norris is set to be managed by Mercedes even though he drives for McLaren.

A spokesman for Mercedes said the report is "entirely without foundation" and "untrue". A McLaren spokesman agreed, calling the report "entirely false".

"It's absolute fiction," he added.

10/03/19 (GMM) McLaren driver Lando Norris is set to be managed by Mercedes.

At Sochi, McLaren announced that from 2021, it will switch from Renault to Mercedes power on a long-term deal until at least 2024.

Italy's Auto Moto claims the deal was brokered by Horatio Investments. That company was founded by Adam Norris, who is Lando's millionaire father.

On Adam Norris' bio page at the company website, it says he "invests strategically in areas of personal interest, such as Formula 1, equine sports and commercial property".

Auto Moto also reports that Lando Norris, 19, has just switched to the Mercedes driver management arm headed by team boss Toto Wolff.

It emerged recently that 2020 Renault driver Esteban Ocon will also remain managed by Mercedes.

Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul said recently that Mercedes will have "absolutely no rights" to Ocon for the period of his contract.

"The small difference is that his management company happens to be a racing team, and that's Mercedes," he said.

Mercedes, McLaren and Horatio Investments have all been contacted for comment.