Lando Norris has been improving every season since his first Formula 1 season back in 2019. The Briton has yet to be given a championship contending car to challenge for race victories and world championships.
Lando Norris, McLaren (Image Credit: Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
McLaren on the rise
Since starting in Formula 1 back in 2019, Norris has spent his entire career at McLaren. The Briton is currently racing his fifth season for the Woking outfit.
The team has had many highs and lows, as the team made steady progress starting from 2020. However, the 2022 season saw McLaren have a minor setback, starting the season horrendously.
The same happened at the start of the 2023 season. However, the team hired key personnel and turned their season round in Austria with their new upgrades to the MCL60, allowing their drivers to compete for podium finishes.
Despite the recent turn in form, McLaren still need to upgrade their wind tunnel, which is expected to be completed for the 2024 season. The Woking team believes that they cannot compete with the frontrunners until their new wind tunnel is completed.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes the team can become world champions by the 2025 season, giving their key personnel time to develop the car and team as a whole.
Norris himself has admitted that it hurts seeing his friends Alex Albon and George Russell having experiences in race winning cars - with Russell winning a race for Mercedes at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. With this in mind, the Briton has made it clear that McLaren needs to make progress if he was to stay.
Helmut Marko wants Norris
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has made it no secret his intentions of wanting Lando Norris to partner with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. The second Red Bull seat has been unable to mount a challenge to Verstappen - between Ricciardo, Gasly, Albon and Perez.
Marko has taken a dig at current driver Sergio Perez for his performances during the 2023 season. The Mexican has not been able to get close to the Dutchman throughout the 2023 season, being constantly outperformed by the reigning world champion.
The Red Bull advisor has labelled Perez as 'inconsistent' and that he does not focus all the time. However, team principal Christian Horner is adamant of keeping the Mexican at the team next year, who does have a contract until the end of the 2024 season.
Marko speaks about Norris and Perez situation to Servus TV, saying:
"Perez has a contract until 2024 and Norris has a contract until 2025, unfortunately, it's that long.
"He [Lando Norris] is definitely a candidate for us. At Toro Rosso, we had already reached an agreement with him at the time, until his manager realised there was an option for a McLaren contract. In terms of youth and speed, he would suit us very well. Sergio, on the other hand, is already over 30 and is expecting his fourth child. So he also has other interests, so you have to see what happens next."
Where do you see Lando Norris driving for in the future?
Nathan Hartley
Add comment
Comments