Buzz surrounding Lando Norris’ possible switch to Red Bull Racing gathered steam during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. The speculation was fueled further by Norris himself, who stated he wouldn’t mind sharing the grid with his buddy Max Verstappen down the line. “It’s absolutely a notion I’d entertain in days to come,” he articulated.
Related Reading:
Horner: Red Bull Approached Norris “On Several Occasions” for F1 Role
Norris showered praise on Verstappen, calling him among the finest drivers to grace Formula 1. “I never had the chance to compete against Max until I made it to F1. We go back to our karting days, so I’ve had a front-row seat to his driving brilliance. I’m convinced he’d be a stellar performer in any car, not just because he’s got a good ride,” Norris shared.
He went on to express his eagerness to measure his skills alongside such an exceptional talent. “How cool would it be to team up with a guy like Max and, in doing so, really see where I stack up? I even extended an invitation to him to drop by McLaren. The door’s wide open.”
Caught on Camera:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing and Lando Norris, McLaren, sharing kudos in Parc Ferme
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / F1 Flow Images
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Norris is locked into a solid contract with McLaren until the close of 2025, courtesy of a contract extension penned ahead of the 2022 season.
What adds another layer of intrigue to the Red Bull-Norris whisper mill is McLaren considering Red Bull as a possible engine provider come 2026. Could this deal serve as a golden ticket for Norris to jump ship early?
As of now, Red Bull has Sergio Perez inked until the finale of 2024, leaving a potential slot beside Verstappen up for grabs in 2025. However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has made it crystal clear: Norris isn’t going anywhere.
In an interview with F1 Flow.com’s sister site F1 Flow-Total.com, Brown confirmed, “Lando is staying put at McLaren through 2025. No ifs, ands or buts about it.”
Brown also minimized talks of McLaren aggressively courting Red Bull for their engine technology, despite his reconnaissance mission to Red Bull’s new powertrains facility earlier this year. “My job requires me to have dialogues with all major players. Red Bull is doing some impressive things, but a final decision has yet to be made,” he stated.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60
Photo by: Andy Hone / F1 Flow Images
When quizzed about his interest in the British driver, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner didn’t exactly plead the Fifth. “Lando is an emerging talent, no question. But he’s McLaren’s asset and we respect existing contracts. As for 2025, there’s still a long road ahead,” Horner acknowledged.
Beyond Red Bull, Norris has also caught the eye of other high-profile teams, such as Ferrari. Moreover, insider sources at F1 Flow.com have revealed that Martin Whitmarsh, the CEO of Aston Martin Group, has recently initiated exploratory talks with Norris regarding a potential future at the Silverstone-based operation.
Related Reading:
Norris Experiencing “Significant” Back Issues with Current F1 Cars
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lando Norris Red Bull Switch
Is Lando Norris considering a switch to Red Bull Racing?
Yes, the article discusses that Lando Norris has expressed interest in potentially joining Red Bull Racing in the future. He even mentioned that he wouldn’t mind teaming up with Max Verstappen, describing him as one of the best drivers in F1 history. However, it’s mostly speculative at this point.
How long is Norris contracted to stay with McLaren?
Lando Norris is under contract with McLaren until the end of the 2025 season. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has been explicit that Norris will fulfill this contract and is not up for grabs.
Is Red Bull Racing interested in having Lando Norris on their team?
Yes, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner did not deny the team’s interest in Lando Norris. While Horner respected Norris’ current contract with McLaren, he acknowledged Norris as an emerging talent in the sport.
Could Red Bull’s potential engine supply to McLaren influence Norris’ switch?
The article hints that Red Bull is considered an engine option for McLaren from 2026. While this adds an interesting angle to the rumor mill, there is no concrete information to suggest that this could facilitate Norris’ early release to Red Bull.
Are there any other teams interested in Lando Norris?
Yes, besides Red Bull Racing, Norris has also been linked to Ferrari. Additionally, Martin Whitmarsh, the CEO of Aston Martin Group, has recently made inquiries about Norris potentially joining their Silverstone-based team in the future.
What does Zak Brown say about McLaren’s engine options after 2025?
Zak Brown stated that it’s his job to talk to all manufacturers as McLaren weighs its options post-2025. While he praised Red Bull’s facilities, he made it clear that a final decision has not yet been made regarding McLaren’s engine supply.
Is Lando Norris experiencing any physical issues with the current F1 cars?
The article notes in a related reading section that Lando Norris is experiencing “significant” back issues with current F1 cars, although this topic is not covered in detail within the main article.
More about Lando Norris Red Bull Switch
- Lando Norris’ Official Profile
- Red Bull Racing Team Information
- McLaren F1 Team Details
- Max Verstappen: A Career Overview
- Formula 1 2025 Season Predictions
- Zak Brown’s Stance on Driver Contracts
- Inside Red Bull’s Powertrains Facility
- Ferrari’s Future F1 Plans
- Aston Martin Racing Team Background
- Christian Horner’s Take on F1 Talent
- Formula 1 Contract Negotiations Explained
- The Mechanics of F1 Racing Cars
8 comments
I’m not much of an F1 guy but even I’d pay to see a Norris and Verstappen team up. Sounds like the plot of a Fast & Furious movie. Someone call Vin Diesel!
Man, Norris joining Red Bull would be sick! Imagine the synergy with Max, it’s gonna be fireworks on the track. But Zak Brown saying ‘no way,’ kinda spoils the fun huh.
This is like high-level drama, man. All it needs is some plot twists and an epic showdown. Who needs Netflix when you have F1?
Horner’s playing it cool. He knows he’s got a good thing going with Max, but he’s also eyeing the talent out there. Norris better not get too comfy at McLaren.
woah did anyone catch that bit about Norris having back issues? Hope he’s alright. These F1 cars are no joke on the body.
If this was a rock band, it’s like the lead guitarist thinking about joining another group but still under contract. Man, contracts suck but I get it, business is business.
lol Zak Brown’s like the parent who won’t let their kid go to the cool party. “No, you’re staying right here, young man.” Still, that engine deal angle is spicy, ain’t it?
Aston Martin, Ferrari, Red Bull. Norris is like the belle of the ball, huh? Guess talent attracts attention, no surprises there.