Lando Norris confirms McLaren exit thoughts as Red Bull rumours swirl

Lando Norris has revealed that he’s already considering his Formula 1 career beyond the end of his McLaren stay amid rumours linking him to a Red Bull drive, explaining that he has considered looking at ‘something different’ despite feeling settled in Woking. 

The 23-year-old Brit shocked the F1 paddock in February 2022 when he signed a long-term contract extension with McLaren, keeping him racing in papaya orange until 2025 and cementing his place at the centre of Zak Brown’s vision for the McLaren motorsport project.

However, with Sergio Perez struggling to hold a candle to the results of team-mate Max Verstappen, Norris has been heavily linked with a move to Red Bull when Checo’s contract expires at the end of the 2024 campaign. McLaren are, naturally, desperate to keep hold of their man.

But Norris’ head could be turned as the Brit confirmed he has thought about leaving McLaren. 

Don’t miss… Max Verstappen plans to send Lando Norris amusing present after Belgian GP[LATEST]

“In the back of my mind, there’s that impatient game of, ‘do I stick it out for another few years, or is it time to look at something different?’,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.

“But the more we achieve things like we have done over the past few weeks, the more I’m very confident with the decision I made to stay until 2025, and the more confident I am that we can achieve our goals together in the future.”

Norris’ affinity for the McLaren team is evident to see, but the 23-year-old could be tempted by the prospect of a seat at Red Bull given the total dominance exercised by the RB19 this season, and his long-standing friendship with Verstappen will only serve to aid negotiations. 

Don’t miss…
Mercedes investigation update issued after Lewis Hamilton raised concerns[LATEST]
Christian Horner jokes Red Bull star Max Verstappen needs ‘marriage counselling'[LATEST]
Fernando Alonso opens up on Max Verstappen’s behaviour with Perez ‘broken'[LATEST]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The young Briton has experienced the podium on eight occasions in F1, including twice in the past three races, but has yet to spray the champagne from the top step. Moving to Red Bull would all but guarantee an end to Norris’ victory drought. 

He added: “I want to win races with McLaren. I want to win in papaya, I want to win championships. I want to achieve my success and I want to achieve my goals with McLaren. That’s been my target since I’ve come here since I’ve entered Formula 1 with this team.

“I guess I’m a loyal guy from that point of view, that I’ve joined the team, they gave me a chance in Formula 1 and I want to deliver and achieve success for them.

“And I think it’s a cooler story at the same time, to go from where we were a few years ago, a team that was really struggling, to fighting back and being that first team to really come back from a long way and fight for championships and wins. I think it would be just a cool story to look back on in 10, 20 years.”

Source: Read Full Article