Rumors Suggest Max Verstappen and Lando Norris Could Become Teammates at Red Bull Soon
Max Verstappen has criticized Lando Norris’ decision to extend his contract with McLaren, describing it as “questionable” as the young British driver continues to impress team leaders with his performances this season.
Norris, hailing from Bristol, has been one of the standout drivers of the season, achieving P2 finishes at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, helping McLaren pull ahead of Alpine in the Constructors’ Championship standings in the battle for fifth place.
Despite ongoing speculation linking Norris to a move to Red Bull as they plan for the future post-Sergio Perez, the contract extension with McLaren, which is set to run until the end of the 2025 season, could pose a significant obstacle in potential negotiations between the two teams.
Speaking ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen commented, “Well, he signed a rather lengthy contract with McLaren a few years ago, which was perhaps not the wisest decision from his perspective. While we share a good rapport and get along well, I recognize that he’s currently one of the top drivers, and it would certainly be intriguing to collaborate. However, at this point, that’s simply not feasible.”
The 23-year-old Briton and Verstappen share a close friendship off the track, raising the prospect of a harmonious partnership at Red Bull should they team up. However, Red Bull would need to navigate negotiations with McLaren, who may be reluctant to release Norris from his contract prematurely.
Despite the Red Bull speculation, Norris remains committed to McLaren’s project. He expressed his dedication to the team, stating, “I aspire to win races with McLaren. I want to secure victories and championships in the iconic papaya livery.
My objective has always been to achieve success with McLaren since I joined the Formula 1 world with this team. The recent achievements have boosted my confidence in my decision to stay with McLaren until 2025, and I believe we can reach our goals together in the future.”
