McLaren F1 ‘I’m not worried about retiring Land Norris'[F1-Gate.com]

McLaren F1 says it has full confidence in Lando Norris’ long-term holdings, despite him being an obvious target for other F1 teams.

Lando Norris signed a new contract with the McLaren F1 team earlier this year until the end of 2025. But the move of McLaren F1 team principal Andreas Seidl to Sauber has already suggested it could attract Norris if the team changed its name to Audi for 2026.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown acknowledges Lando Norris’ speed makes him an attractive option for rival teams, but gives McLaren exactly what it needs to keep. I think there are all possible reasons.

When asked if he was worried McLaren could end up losing Lando Norris if he didn’t get on the F1 grid enough, Brown replied: “No. Because I’m sure we can give them a winning car,” he said.

“We have a long-term contract with him. I think he feels very comfortable in the team.”

“Obviously, apart from the pressure we put on ourselves, we don’t just want to give him a car that can win, we want to give him a car that can win.

“He knows the journey we’re on. He embraces the journey we’re on and I think it’s too soon to care.”

Zak Brown said he is aware that not all junior stars do well in F1 and has been impressed by Lando Norris since his arrival in F1.

“Each step, he gave us reason to believe the next step was going to be amazing,” added Brown.

“But in the middle they were great drivers, but when you got to the top you saw drivers who didn’t know if it was their fault or the circumstances. And Jan Magnussen? He was good in every way, but then in Formula 1 it didn’t work out. Jos Verstappen is It was fantastic from all points of view, but it didn’t work in Formula 1.”

“Lando was fantastic at everything, and it worked in Formula 1. In fact, what I’m happiest to see is not just the sheer pace, but how few mistakes he makes and how he runs. It’s the strength of the trade.”

“Look at Lando freshman year. He had the pace, but he probably didn’t stretch his elbows enough. And now he’s a fair but tough character in the race.”

Zak Brown also believes the relationship between Lando Norris and his new teammate Oscar Piastri will be close.

“I think Lando is one of the fastest riders on the grid and I think Oscar is close to it,” explained Zak Brown.

“I think Oscar has a chance to beat him and vice versa, and that’s obviously what you want, like two riders in the same team exchanging orders.”

Category: F1 / mclaren / Terra Norris