via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 19, 2021 McLaren’s Lando Norris during a press conference ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix || REUTERS
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 19, 2021 McLaren’s Lando Norris during a press conference ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix || REUTERS
Lando Norris is undoubtedly the flavor of the weekend in Monaco. With McLaren announcing a new deal for the Briton, he is brimming with confidence going into the weekend.
At just 21 years of age, Norris has made quite a mark in Formula One. With two podiums in his career, Norris has been influential in McLaren’s progress post-2018. Although his ink on the deal is still fresh, speculation on whether Norris will move to another team remains.
Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, the Briton talked about how hard it would be to leave McLaren, and the influence of CEO Zak Brown on his career.
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Lando Norris believes it would be hard to leave McLaren
Some of the younger drivers on the grid have shown qualities that could make them world champions in the future. While this category has drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell, it also has Lando Norris.
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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 18, 2021 McLaren’s Lando Norris on the podium during the national anthems after finishing third REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
He currently sits in fourth place in the driver’s championship, just six points off Valtteri Bottas. Although he’s signed a new deal with McLaren, no driver is immune to the silly season.
When asked if he would leave McLaren in the future should an offer come from Mercedes, Norris made his gratitude to McLaren known. “I am grateful to McLaren, which allowed me to take the first test in 2017 and made me get this far, making me grow,” said Norris. (Translated via Google Translate)
“I owe a lot to this team. It would not be an easy decision to leave.”
READ MORE: Who is Adam Norris: Father of McLaren F1 Driver Lando Norris
Norris points out the influence of Zak Brown on his new deal
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It’s no secret that Zak Brown is like a father figure to Norris in the team. The American is a huge fan of Norris, and his discovery of the Briton’s talent made him join McLaren in 2019.
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Norris believes that if it was someone else instead of Brown, his career would be very different today. The Bristol-born driver said, “I remember we first met when I was invited as a kid to the Autosport Awards, I think it was 2016, and we have been in constant contact ever since.
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“I don’t know how history would have gone if there had been another in his place.”
While Norris has committed his future to McLaren, one can only wonder what would happen if Mercedes come calling. Would multiple race wins with McLaren put a full stop to this speculation? Or does the Briton have to make a hard decision in the future?
