It has been hailed as “clever” that Lando Norris chose to sign a new contract with McLaren rather than pursue offers from Mercedes and Red Bull. Christian Horner and Toto Wolff are currently scouting the driver market, but one of Formula One’s most promising young talent is firmly out of reach.
Many were taken aback when Norris signed a contract extension with McLaren in January. Owing to his season-long contract expiring at the end of the following one, Red Bull, Audi, and Mercedes might have considered the British driver as their ideal replacement for Lewis Hamilton.
However, Norris decided against leaving the Woking-based team, so he can now start reshaping McLaren in his image. He also ruled himself out of an exit after finishing on the podium at the Australian Grand Prix.
Presenter Natalie Pinkham of Sky Sports F1 thinks it was a “smart move” to remain with a McLaren team that is winning instead of taking a chance on a move to another team. She adamantly refuted the notion that Norris’ eagerness to sign a new contract has cost him the chance to win a title at Red Bull or Mercedes.
“I don’t believe so. “I believe it’s a very wise decision,” Pinkham said on the F1 Nation podcast. “McLaren is and continues to be moving in the right direction. Early in the season, he downplayed their chances. I am aware of their lack of linear speed. In Saudi, he felt frustrated.
“I don’t believe so. “I believe it’s a very wise decision,” Pinkham said on the F1 Nation podcast. “McLaren is and continues to be moving in the right direction. Early in the season, he downplayed their chances. I am aware of their lack of linear speed. In Saudi, he felt frustrated.
However, there is a very significant aspect to remaining a part of a team, being devoted to it, and shaping it around yourself. In that sense, Lando has been shrewd. I wish he was in the Red Bull. It would be fantastic to witness him perform with Max (Verstappen). However, there is risk associated with everything. Your career could completely change if you make the incorrect decision at the wrong moment. I believe that Morris has been wise.”
Furthermore, Norris has already stated that he stayed at McLaren because he feels like he has the best chance of winning a championship there. Now that Red Bull and Mercedes are unable to sign Norris, who is probably one of their top targets, the 24-year-old will look to take advantage of the situation and overtake both teams.
“My decisions are primarily influenced by two factors,” Norris stated to Sky Sports in January. “First, am I happy where I am or where I am going? Second, will this team assist me in realizing my dream of winning the Formula 1 World Championships.
“Really, both are now yes, and I’m even more certain now that the second one is particularly a yes. This place is amazing to me. Since the beginning, I have been a part of the papaya family and have loved being here. I want to carry on that story and that chapter of trying to reach that objective.
We’re hoping to maintain the same course we took last year, which will enable us to win a world championship.”
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