Red Bull's Helmut Marko in talks with Lando Norris' manager, fuelling 'move' rumours
Lando Norris of McLaren 18 Jun 2023
Helmut Marko was seen engaging in a conversation with Lando Norris' manager prior to the British GP, sparking speculation of Red Bull's interest in acquiring the services of the McLaren driver.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was recently seen in conversation with Lando Norris' manager ahead of the British Grand Prix, igniting rumours that the energy drink-backed team may be eyeing the talented McLaren driver.
Norris, who secured the Driver of the Day accolade at Silverstone, impressively finished second behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen, benefiting from a series of upgrades that significantly improved the competitiveness of the McLaren MCL60.
While Verstappen has been dominating the 2023 season, his teammate Sergio Perez has struggled to match his pace. Subpar performances in qualifying have hindered the Mexican driver, resulting in just one podium finish in the past five races-all of which were claimed by Verstappen. Publicly criticizing Perez, Marko expressed disappointment in his inability to maximize Red Bull's point tally.
In an interview with Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung, Marko extolled Norris' talent, highlighting the amicable relationship between the Briton and Verstappen, who is contracted with Red Bull until 2028. Marko disclosed that "intensive talks" had already taken place between Verstappen's team and Norris' management, emphasizing that despite Norris' contract with McLaren until 2025, he was unequivocally the best among the younger drivers.
"With his youthful character, he would also be the perfect fit for Red Bull, and it's common knowledge that Max and he are close friends," Marko added.
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