Rumor: Norris to Red Bull (7th Update)
Just when we thought this rumor was ‘false’, maybe it’s not…….
(GMM) Lando Norris gave an interesting answer to a straightforward question about his future in Formula 1 at the Sao Paulo GP.
The McLaren driver was already regarded as one of the most impressive young drivers behind Max Verstappen, but given Mercedes and Ferrari’s struggle for pace lately, Norris is also quite literally Verstappen’s closest rival at present.
In fact, he’s not even ruling out taking on Verstappen for the title in 2024.
“Maybe,” he said after finishing behind the dominant Red Bull at Interlagos.
“I’ve just been just saying to Max, since we bought this upgrade to Austria, I’ve been the second highest scoring driver on the grid,” the 23-year-old added.
Verstappen and Norris are friends, and many believe the young Briton would make the ‘perfect teammate’ for the dominant Dutchman at Red Bull.
At Interlagos, Norris sat down for an exclusive interview with the Spanish broadcaster DAZN when he was asked if Verstappen would be his own “perfect teammate”.
“I would love to be Max’s teammate one day,” he admits. “But perfect teammate? Lewis Hamilton would also be incredible, Fernando Alonso would be exciting, Carlos Sainz…
“You know, there are always rumors,” Norris smiled.
But when asked if he would accept or reject an advance by Red Bull, Norris suddenly becomes a lot more coy.
“No comment. I’ll pass on that one,” he smiled again.
It’s conspicuous, however, that Norris is yet to win a single Formula 1 race – unlike his impressive rookie teammate Oscar Piastri who won a sprint race recently.
“I would never count a sprint race pole like a proper pole or a sprint race win as a proper win,” Norris insists.
“For my first victory I’d love to share the podium with Carlos,” he added, before joking: “It would be the first time I’d see him from above.”
And given the way McLaren has surged in performance this year with highly effective upgrades, a win might not now be too far away.
“It’s been difficult, but we did not expect to go from being left out in Q1 to fighting with the Red Bulls, the Mercedes, the Ferraris. It’s been a positive surprise for all of us,” Norris said.
“Oscar is doing a great job for his year, so it’s a guarantee for the team that we put pressure on each other and that’s something that not every team has.”
October 5, 2023
This rumor is downgraded from ‘strong’ to ‘false’ today.
Afraid that Max Verstappen would destroy his career if he went to Red Bull, Lando Norris has quashed rumors surrounding his future in the sport by reaffirming his commitment to the McLaren team.
Under his current contract, Norris is set to remain with McLaren until the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Norris has now made it clear that his primary focus is on achieving success with McLaren, rather than seeking greener pastures elsewhere in the sport. He stated to media, “There are always things every now and then. I would love to [talk about a new McLaren deal]. I’ve always said I want to win with McLaren. I think we’re getting closer and closer to achieving that.”
“I want to do it with McLaren. I’m very happy there. So if I was to spend 10 or 15 years there I’m not going to ever say no. I think that’s something I would look forward to. But I’m very much just concentrated on this year, next year and ’25.
“I think that’s two-and-a-half years to try and progress and we’ll see then. But things [crop up] every now and then but nothing more than that.”
September 8, 2023
Lando Norris has admitted to an interest in one day becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate in Formula 1, saying he would be keen to find out how he directly compares to “one of the best drivers ever”.
Asked about the possibility of racing alongside Verstappen in the coming years, wherever that may be, Norris said: “It’s definitely something I would be open to in the future.
“I think I can happily say Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in the history of F1. I never raced against him until I was in F1, but I was always in the category below.
“In karting I already knew him reasonably well. Back in 2012-2013 was the first time I got to meet him and get to know him, so I’ve been able to witness what he’s doing and I think it’s not just that he’s in a good car and he’s able to perform.
“I think no matter what car he’s in, he’ll be able to perform at a similar level. Maybe with different results, but at a similar level, and I think at that point it’d be great to work alongside someone like that. At the same time, to see where I can really stand against him. I’d be open to it.”
Would Verstappen destroy Lando, and perhaps his career, like he has destroyed all previous teammates?
It would be interesting to watch.
September 5, 2023
Dr Helmut Marko admits it’s ‘unfortunate’ that Lando Norris’ McLaren contract has ruled him out of contention for a Red Bull seat for now, at least that is what he is saying, but every contract buyout has a price.
Marko, fellow Red Bull chief Christian Horner and Norris’ paddock friend Max Verstappen have mentioned 23-year-old Briton Norris’ name in connection with a race seat multiple times recently.
The speculation coincided with Sergio Perez’s recent performance slump in the context of teammate Verstappen’s utter dominance in the sister 2023 Red Bull.
“Perez is not consistent. He is not always focused,” Marko, 80, has now told Servus TV.
“But he has a contract until 2024 and Lando Norris has a contract until 2025. Unfortunate that it’s for so long,” he added. “Because he would be one of the candidates.
“We had already reached an agreement with Norris for Toro Rosso at the time, until his manager realized that there was an option in the contract with McLaren. But in terms of youth and speed, he would suit is very well.
“Sergio, on the other hand, is already over 30 and is having his fourth child. He already has other interests, so we will have to see what happens afterwards.”
If Marko’s comments sound like yet another major drop in support for Perez, he did acknowledge that the Mexican has a tough job to have Verstappen as teammate.
“On the one hand,” said Marko, “the Red Bull seat is one of the most sought-after. But on the other hand you also have Max Verstappen as an opponent.
“You need a very strong personality and also incredible mental strength for that. Perez is the one who has managed it the best of all the drivers in recent years, and has also achieved victories.”
September 4, 2023
Nico Rosberg has hinted there is a “switch coming” for Lando Norris next year, amid rumors he could join Red Bull.
Verstappen also admitted he and Norris have discussed the idea, telling Sky Sports in Italy: “We talk about it. But he’s contracted to McLaren for a long time. We’ll see what happens in the future.”
However, Rosberg has suggested Norris could quit McLaren a year early, telling Sky Sports during the Italian Grand Prix: “Where’s he [Norris] going? Next year already, I hear there’s a switch coming.”
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Norris does go to Red Bull next year given the fact Alex Palou could have taken his seat at McLaren, but he cannot now – he quit and McLaren is suing him.
Palou would have nothing left to do but to kick himself:
Again
And Again
And Again
And Again
And Again
Destined to be just a lowly IndyCar driver forever.
July 11, 2023
Amid Lando Norris’ impressive performance at Silverstone, Marko is believed to have held a meeting with the McLaren driver’s manager Mark Berryman.
And Red Bull team boss Christian Horner admitted Norris accepted his invitation to a private barbecue that was attended by about half of the F1 drivers during the weekend.
July 7, 2023
Rumors in the Silverstone paddock now have Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko apparently interested in Alex Palou and might offer him a Formula 1 seat in AlphaTauri when the IndyCar season ends in September.
This could set him up nicely for the next season and possibly a seat at Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez, reports Joe Saward in his latest Green Notebook
In order for Red Bull to get Palou, they will need to buy him out of his McLaren contract.
One thing is almost certain – he will not be in IndyCar next year.
July 4, 2023
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Having signed a contract extension in February 2022, Norris is tied to the McLaren team until the end of the 2025 campaign, but his future remains a major talking point with McLaren’s woes continuing.
With that said, the McLaren did perform much better in Austria with the latest upgrades, so we shall see.
Rumor has it that Norris may have an out-clause in his McLaren contract, and we hear that Red Bull would like to sign him to replace an under-performing Sergio Perez. We hear that if Perez performs badly in Silverstone, Red Bull will push for Norris.
It would cost Red Bull money to buy him out of his McLaren contract; however, our sources say that McLaren would plug IndyCar ace Alex Palou, who they have already signed for 2024, into Norris’s seat.
This would also solve a dilemma McLaren has – what to do with a good driver like Palou in 2024.
