After securing Formula 1 starlet Oscar Piastri till 2026, McLaren’s eyes are firmly set on the big prize – Lando Norris. The goal? To keep him in the Papaya family beyond 2025. While Norris’s rise in F1 has been dazzling, McLaren has had its share of rollercoaster moments. But this year’s mid-season upgrades have revived hopes, making the Woking team’s vision clear and bright.

Red Bull has been batting their eyes at Norris, while whispers about a possible move to Ferrari or Aston Martin have been doing the rounds. But Team Principal Andrea Stella is optimistic. The conversations with Norris? “They are good conversations,” Stella mentioned at the Japanese GP, hinting at positive progress.

Stella says (as per The Race), “Certainly, we expressed our love, if you want – love in terms of this human element, and also as a team you kind of want mates to be with you in the journey, especially when the journey is so tough.” Both Stella and McLaren CEO Zak Brown bank on sincerity. They don’t wish to play a card they don’t possess, preferring genuine assessments and honest conversations.

McLaren values Piastri’s commitment till 2026 and sees Norris, an established F1 driver, at a pivotal juncture. With Stella leading the British team’s resurgence, Norris is being persuaded of a promising future with the team. Lando recently highlighted his strong partnership with Piastri, and despite some skepticism, their potential is evident. Stella emphasizes that Piastri’s deal isn’t insurance against Norris potentially leaving, expressing confidence in the duo’s long-term collaboration at McLaren. The team’s strategy combines performance, facts, and deep trust to retain Norris. The future will reveal if this approach succeeds.

Read More: Lando Norris Reveals Close Aide’s Lucky Presence After 3 Year Hiatus That Played Vital Role in Singapore GP Podium

The Woking-based team is working hard to ensure the dynamic duo drives its championship hopes. However, in the swirling vortex of F1’s driver market, the landscape can change in the blink of an eye. Enter the Red Bull narrative.

Red Bull puts brakes on potential Lando Norris contract until 2025

In an intriguing turn of events, Red Bull Racing seems to have momentarily hit the brakes on their pursuit of McLaren’s superstar driver, Lando Norris. The 23-year-old Brit is undoubtedly one of F1’s brightest stars, and while the rumor mills have been churning with talks of Red Bull’s interest, it seems fans will have to wait a little longer for any potential shifts in the driver lineup.

Blick’s journalist, Roger Benoit reports that Red Bull has delayed their pursuit of Norris until 2025, prioritizing current stars Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Red Bull’s Helmut Marko candidly described having a luxury problem due to the influx of talent eager to join their ranks. Team principal Christian Horner noted that Lando is a great driver. But he’s a McLaren driver. He emphasized Red Bull’s focus on the present. Furthermore, Perez is confirmed to remain with Red Bull, with Horner clarifying any speculations about Perez’s future.

As the 2023 F1 season progresses, one thing’s for sure: The driver market will always keep us on our toes. And whether or not Norris eventually dons the Red Bull attire remains one of the sport’s juiciest future prospects. Stay tuned, F1 fans!

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