Norris' Admiration for Verstappen
Norris has openly admitted his admiration for Verstappen, describing him as "one of the best drivers ever in the history of F1." The two drivers have known each other since their karting days, and Norris has been impressed by Verstappen's consistent performance, regardless of the car he's driving.
Norris stated, “I think no matter what car he’s in, he’ll be able to perform at a similar level. Maybe with different results, but at a similar level, and I think at that point it’d be great to work alongside someone like that. At the same time, to see where I can really stand against him. I’d be open to it.”
The Current Contracts
As it stands, Verstappen, the reigning double world champion, is committed to Red Bull with a long-term contract running through 2028. Norris, on the other hand, has a deal with McLaren that keeps him at Woking until 2025.
However, Norris has not ruled out the possibility of racing alongside Verstappen in the future, wherever that may be. He even jokingly invited Verstappen to McLaren, showing his openness to the idea.
Red Bull's Response
When asked about Norris' comments, Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss, acknowledged Norris' potential but also pointed out the existing contracts. He stated, “Look, Lando is a great driver, there’s no doubt about that, and you can see his potential is growing, but he’s a McLaren driver, you have to respect the agreements that are in place.”
Horner also mentioned that Red Bull has its drivers confirmed until 2024, with one seat open for 2025. However, he noted that there's no shortage of interest in that seat.
A Potential Powerhouse Partnership
Verstappen and Norris have impressive records in Formula 1. Verstappen boasts two world championships and 47 wins, while Norris has eight podium finishes and came close to a maiden victory during the 2021 season.
A partnership between these two could potentially create a powerhouse team in Formula 1. However, with their current contracts and the competitive nature of the sport, only time will tell if this dream team will become a reality.
