In spite of signing a contract extension with McLaren last year, Lando Norris remains a target of interest for the Red Bull team regarding a potential future role.
Helmut Marko has restated Red Bull’s keenness to secure Lando Norris for a future position, notwithstanding the Briton’s existing commitment to McLaren.
Norris recently committed to McLaren with a multi-year extension, extending his tenure with the Woking-based outfit beyond the previous contract’s expiration at the close of 2025.
Red Bull’s admiration for Norris dates back several years, with initial discussions about his potential F1 debut for the Toro Rosso team as far back as 2018.
The 24-year-old driver has showcased impressive performance at the outset of the 2024 Formula 1 season, clinching two podium finishes in the initial five races.
In contemplating its future driver lineup, Red Bull has acknowledged Norris as a contender, with Marko confirming his presence on the team’s list of prospective drivers.
“He is young and certainly in our focus,” Marko stated in an interview with ServusTV. “His father always jokes that Lando won’t celebrate his first Grand Prix victory until Max [Verstappen] retires. I told him that he had to come to us, then it would definitely go faster.”
For the 2025 season, Red Bull has a solitary seat available due to Sergio Perez’s contract reaching its expiration this year.
Moreover, there’s a cloud of uncertainty hovering over Max Verstappen’s tenure in the team, fueled by speculation surrounding internal power dynamics within the squad.
Despite this, Marko acknowledged that Norris’ recent contract extension has effectively removed him from consideration for an imminent switch. Nonetheless, he expressed intrigue in Norris’ teammate, Oscar Piastri, as a potential candidate.
“Norris has at least a contract until 2026, so he is not an option in the short term, nor is Oscar Piastri,” he stated. “But both drivers are certainly interesting for us in the future.”
