Technicality in Lando Norris’ $98,000,000 Worth Contract Helps Zak Brown to Put Rumors Around Him Leaving McLaren to Bed

The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it. MCL60s pace has left Lando Norris looking for an escape. With Norris suggesting that his team is struggling to catch up to Williams, it sure doesn’t look pretty for the Briton. The rumors of a rival team circling the 23-year-old for signing with them for 2024 have started going around the paddock with Karun Chandhok, indicating that Ferrari or Red Bull might be interested in him. However, Zak Brown has come out with a revelation in Lando Norris’ contract that puts all these rumors to bed.

McLaren’s start to the 2023 F1 season is nothing short of a disappointment. Lando Norris finished P17 in both races, whereas Oscar Piastri finished P15 at Jeddah and retired at the Bahrain GP. After a tight battle with Alpine for 4th in the constructors last season, Mclaren ended up finishing 5th and was expected to challenge the Top 3 this season. However, Mclaren has crippled the expectation and is dead last in the constructors after the first couple of races.

Lando Norris signed a contract extension with Mclaren back in 2022 that tied him to the team until 2025. Norris signed the contract with hopes of following his fellow countryman Lewis Hamilton’s footsteps in winning the first championship with McLaren. However, as Mclaren has failed to provide a competitive car, the Briton might be looking to move elsewhere. The only problem is that there’s no early termination option or a release clause in Norris’ contract. 

According to motorsport.nextgen-auto.com, Zak Brown said “ There are no early termination options in Lando’s contract, at all.” Further adding, “If by the end of his current deal, he doesn’t win and doesn’t feel like it, then, like any driver, he’ll consider going. After all, in the end, we’re all here to win.”

Read More: Cheeky Oscar Piastri Takes Caution Against Lando Norris After First Sparks of F1 Tussle: “We Can Just Have a…”

This means the 23-year-old will have no choice other than to try to save McLaren’s ship from sinking. Nevertheless, Mclaren has taken some bold steps with the ambition of moving forward. 

What are the steps taken by McLaren to improve its performance?

After completing a review with Andrea Stella, Zak Brown, and Mclaren have implemented a restructuring of engineers. One of the major departures during the restructuring is the Executive Technical Director James Key. Former Ferrari Head of Vehicle Concepts, David Sanchez, is expected to sign with McLaren later in the year. The team is also expected to be coming up with a B-spec car post the summer break.

According to skysports.com, Zak Brown said, “I’m pleased that, having completed a full review with Andrea, we are now able to implement the restructure required to set the wheels in motion to turn this around.”

Watch this story: McLaren Signs Herta to Formula 1 development deal

Do you think Mclaren will be able to provide a championship-winning car to Norris in the coming years?