(L to R): Max Verstappen, the winner of the sprint race, representing Red Bull Racing, and Lando Norris, the runner-up representing McLaren, celebrate in the parc ferme. 04.11.2023. The Brazilian Grand Prix, the 21st round of the Formula 1 World Championship, took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sprint Day.
Max Verstappen has expressed his understanding of Lando Norris’ decision to continue his Formula 1 career with McLaren instead of joining him at Red Bull. At the end of last month, McLaren announced that Norris had signed a multi-year contract, ensuring his presence in the team during the upcoming regulation overhaul in 2026. This commitment to McLaren has eliminated Norris as a potential candidate for the vacant seat at Red Bull, despite advisor Helmut Marko considering him as a replacement for Sergio Perez in 2025. Red Bull has long been interested in signing Norris, with the Briton revealing that discussions had taken place between him and the reigning champions regarding a possible transfer. Norris, who is entering his sixth season in Formula 1, dismissed the notion that he was afraid of competing against Verstappen, emphasizing that his best chance of defeating the reigning champion lies in remaining with McLaren.
During an interview with Sky Sports, Norris was asked if he had any reservations about partnering with Verstappen on equal terms in the same car. In response, Norris stated that the matter is more complex than a simple yes or no answer. He acknowledged Verstappen’s status as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history and praised his accomplishments. Norris also noted that Verstappen benefits from being in a team that is tailored to his preferences, making it incredibly challenging for anyone, including the Verstappen from a few years ago, to compete against him. Norris emphasized that his decision to stay with McLaren is not driven by fear but rather by a realistic assessment of the circumstances. He believes that joining a new team and immediately challenging a driver of Verstappen’s caliber is not a wise move. Norris believes that it takes time to adapt and find one’s place within a new team. He concluded by expressing his enthusiasm for racing against Verstappen, highlighting the enjoyable battles they have already had and expressing his anticipation for the upcoming battles in the current season.
During the unveiling of Red Bull’s RB20 car, Verstappen spoke to Sky Sports and addressed Norris’ statement regarding his former self’s ability to compete against his current dominant form. Verstappen acknowledged that he has become more composed and experienced over the past four years, which could potentially make a difference in certain situations. He also expressed excitement at the prospect of facing his younger self in a team-up, emphasizing his fearlessness and enjoyment of racing against the best in the world.
McLaren, after initially struggling with an underdeveloped car in the previous season, made significant improvements through a series of impressive upgrades. This transformation has established McLaren as Red Bull’s most consistent challenger. Verstappen understands Norris’ decision to commit to McLaren for the long term, as he can relate to the positive trajectory and the sense of happiness and confidence that comes from being part of a team. This has led Norris to believe that he can achieve success with McLaren and therefore does not feel the need to explore other options.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com