SUMMARY
- Red Bull's interest in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri intensifies after Norris's standout performance in China.
- Helmut Marko acknowledges Norris's talent but notes contractual barriers, hinting at future considerations for Red Bull.
Lando Norris’ podium finish in China has fueled speculation once again, turning him into a hot pick for future driver lineup for Red Bull. Norris’ consistent excellence has not escaped the Red Bull camp, with his talent posing a constant challenge to their dominance over the past few seasons. Red Bull advisor, Helmut Marko has no way to contain his admiration for the young driver.
Marko recognizes the barrier posed by Norris’ long-term McLaren contract, but he cannot assist by humorously suggesting that a move to Red Bull would be the missing piece needed for Norris to secure his first victory. However, Marko is a pragmatist. He readily admits that the young Briton, like Oscar Piastri, is unavailable in the immediate future due to their existing contracts.
Helmut Marko eyes Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for Red Bull
Back in 2018, the Austrian outfit considered him for a debut with their junior team, Toro Rosso. This long-standing interest suggests they see Norris as a potential long-term partner for Max Verstappen, particularly with Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull uncertain beyond 2024. Norris might not have reached the top step of the podium yet, but his impressive collection of 15 podium finishes, including the recent one in China.
Helmut Marko comments on Lando Norris again:
🗣 “Lando Norris is young, and we will definitely keep an eye on him.
He hasn’t won any Grands Prix yet. His father joked that he might win a race when Max retires. But if he comes to us he will win faster.” pic.twitter.com/Oq3tWKjFRJ
— McLaren News | 🇬🇧 🇦🇺 (@McLarenF1_News) April 21, 2024
According to Marko, “He [Norris] is young and is definitely in our focus. His father always jokes that Lando won’t get his first Grand Prix victory until Max retires. I told him to come to us, then it will definitely be quicker.” However, in a conversation with Kleine Zeitung, Marko stated, “In any case, Norris has a contract until 2026, so he is not an option in the short term, as is Oscar Piastri. But both drivers are definitely interesting for us in the future.”
Red Bull is keeping a close eye on both him and his Kiwi teammate, with their future performances likely playing a crucial role in determining whether the team makes a move to secure their services. While the immediate future might belong to McLaren, Red Bull seems to be laying the groundwork for a potential future partnership with Norris, showcasing their long-term vision for driver development.
Lando Norris ascends to the elite performance tier
The 24-year-old driver and his impressive second-place finish in the recent race pushed him to the elite of the sport. While the current world champion reigned supreme in his Red Bull, Norris stole the show for the rest of the grid with a stellar performance in his McLaren. This podium finish redeemed him for a qualifying error in the sprint race, where he attempted an overtake on Lewis Hamilton.
Lando Norris takes Sprint Pole Position in China! 👏🇨🇳#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/I28tcpfHYQ
— Crash F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) April 19, 2024
Right after the race in China, Norris revealed, “Whenever I finish behind Max, I feel like it’s a win. A great day, really a surprise, was not expecting a day like today. So very happy for myself and for the whole team, more importantly. Definitely exceeded our expectations but a lot of things went our way. Happy to be wrong with myself.”
McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, sees this as a crucial step as the driver steps into the second stage of the drivers’ hierarchy. He highlights Norris’ improved racecraft and understanding of tire management, aspects the team diligently worked on with him during the off-season. Overall, his performance in Shanghai is a testament to his progress and potential for even greater success in the future.
