SUMMARY
- Red Bull continues to show interest in McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris.
- Zak Brown admits tricky phase ahead for McLaren amidst growing interest for Norris.
The 2023 Formula 1 season has been a major success for Red Bull and Max Verstappen who took home three consecutive championships. However, the team watched McLaren and Ferrari come close to challenging the Dutchman on multiple occasions with McLaren’s star, Lando Norris taking 7 podium victories in a single season and attracting Red Bull’s attention as a prospect.
Norris has stuck with the Papaya team ever since his entry in F1 and since then, worked with the team to bring as much progress as possible. After ending their season P4 in the constructors championship, the team has plans to be at least two steps ahead this season.
However, with a serious question looming over their star driver’s head, McLaren senses serious trouble regarding their star with only having a rookie Piastri to rely on. Nevertheless, Zak Brown feels prepared to defend his driver amidst the sudden Red Bull interest.
Lando Norris attracts Red Bull’s interest
Lando Norris has pulled a great season for himself after winning the second most podiums in a single season. However, his rookie teammate, Oscar Piastri has shown a skillset similar to Max Verstappen in only one season and won a Sprint race before the Briton ever could. While this left Red Bull sulking for not signing Piastri, they have their eyes on Norris.
Not too long ago, Red Bull boss, Helmut Marko talked about keeping an eye on potential partners for the Dutchman and kept a close eye on the Briton in McLaren. But with Sergio Perez confirming his stay for another season, the Bulls will be keeping extra attention on the podium winner for the rest of the 2024 season.
Lando Norris has been attracting Red Bull’s interest as a potential partner for Max Verstappen.
Nonetheless, Zak Brown is confident McLaren can convince its driver to commit to the team for the long term.
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However, Zak Brown feels prepared for the tug-of-war that could commence. He said, “I’m very confident the relationship that we have with Lando [remains strong]. I know he’s very excited for this year and was very impressed with what he saw in the second half of last year.”
The team principal confessed that Norris enjoys working with the team and has no plans of signing a Red Bull contract. Agreeably so, the driver has enjoyed the benefits of being McLaren’s star. And with Red Bull only wanting a second driver to help Verstappen’s glory, Norris may want to stick with the Papaya team rather than sit in a second seat with only hopes of a championship.
Norris picks apart what makes Oscar Piastri a better rookie
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri joined hands at McLaren in 2023 when the Aussie replaced Daniel Ricciardo and proved he was worthy of the seat. The Australian has won podiums in his rookie season and won a Sprint Race against Max Verstappen. However, Norris believes that Piastri has been a better rookie than he was when he just started his F1 journey.
The Briton talked about his teammate saying, “I think he’s been very, very good at dealing with pressure, better than I feel like I remember I was when I started, but I think that’s because everyone’s very different with all of this – dealing with pressure and remaining calm and chilled.”
While Piastri has a long way to go and only one season in F1, he will be faced with a lot more challenges but if there is anything to take from his cool demeanor, it is that he might be the “Iceman” Kimi Raikkonen’s prodigy.