McLaren driver Lando Norris is one of the most popular and talented drivers on the Formula 1 grid today. Norris made his debut in F1 back in 2019, when he was 19 years of age. Since then, Norris has come a long way. From his first season as a rookie to the main man at McLaren, the Briton has had a steady career graph so far.

But Norris, who was tapped by McLaren right from the get-go, could’ve had a different career trajectory altogether. This is because around two years ago, Norris was linked with Mercedes, and more specifically, Toto Wolff.

In 2019, it was rumored that Lando Norris will be represented by the driver management company of Toto Wolff that also manages Esteban Ocon and in the past, Valtteri Bottas.

How did these rumors come into being in the first place?

In 2019, McLaren decided that they would switch to Mercedes power from 2021 onwards, which was the most recent season. But to facilitate and broker this deal, a company known as Horatio Investments was hired. And this company was founded and owned by Adam Norris, the Lando Norris’ father.

So during that time, the 19-year-old was linked with the Mercedes driver management arm, which is led by their team principal, Toto Wolff.

However, these were just rumors. Not the McLaren switching to Mercedes from Renault because we all saw that in action this year. But the Norris being managed by Wolff’s company, those were false.

Lando Norris has been and still is currently managed by Add Management in the UK. But that doesn’t mean Norris can’t move to Mercedes, in fact, there could be an opportunity in the immediate future.

Will we see Lando Norris at Mercedes in the future?

After being left ‘disillusioned’ by what happened in Abu Dhabi, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s return in 2022 isn’t a surety. At least that’s what Toto Wolff suggested in his first press conference since the season-ender.

Mercedes have already replaced their other experienced driver, Valtteri Bottas with the young and talented George Russell. And if Hamilton doesn’t continue in F1, the next best option would be Lando Norris for Mercedes. And there are several reasons for this.

One of the major ones is his pedigree and talent as a driver. Then add in the fact that he’s extremely marketable and from Britain like Hamilton. Along with that, he’s mates with George Russell. And as for his replacement at McLaren, Pat O’Ward who recently tested the F1 car in Abu Dhabi could step up.

But that all depends on many factors, one of the biggest being if Lewis Hamilton doesn’t continue. And that is a big “if”. For now, considering everything, Lando Norris is in the best place he can be at this moment, and he, his team, and his representatives all know this.

Also Read: Lando Norris in Agreement With Fernando Alonso’s Claim About Mercedes F1 in 2021