Lando Norris needs to leave McLaren
- Ben Morrison
- Mar 2, 2023
- 3 min read
A bold claim, but unfortunately for the papaya team, it doesn't bode well for them looking into this season and beyond for there to be any prospect of a world championship fight with Lando Norris.
Don't get me wrong, McLaren have been incredible for Norris, welcoming him into the pinnacle of motorsport with open arms and giving him the platform to prove his worth in the sport. Zak Brown was quick to notice the talent he had on offer and wanted to put it to the test. But in recent years, the team haven't been able to get to grips with the car, and progress has been slower than anticipated (and at times backwards). And with the recent fiasco between the team and signing Oscar Piastri over Daniel Ricciardo, it seems as though the longevity of the team has been under recent turmoil.
Piastri looks to be a promising young driver, but whether he will have the car beneath him to show off his ability this season is unknown. From what we've seen at pre-season testing in Bahrain, the development in the car seems to have taken a step back and their performance doesn't seem to have carried the momentum from last year through the winter break. Whether they will be able to compete against their rival teams or not this season, Norris has a lot of pressure on his back this season with his skills put to the test under the spotlight against a new rapid teammate in the same machinery. Many, rightfully, don't doubt his ability behind the wheel; but will another season, slowly dropping down the order, hamper Norris' mojo and take a hit on his confidence on track - much like it did with Ricciardo in the past couple years?
As it stands, Lando has a contract with McLaren until the end of 2025, with new regulations coming into place in 2026, a swap between teams could seem like a viable option for the British driver. The likes of Audi and Ford entering the sport could be an option to sway his decision.
While Lando seems to remain committed to his time at McLaren, at least until his contract is up, Daniel Ricciardo's early exit proves that no contract is unbreakable and we could see an early move from Norris to another team in recent years should McLaren not develop as quickly as expected.
"I'm not the most patient man" Lando Norris, McLaren
Many pundits agree that they think Lando may have signed for too long too soon, and that his, and the teams, prospects might not line up as well as they'd hope for, and with rumors of McLaren in talks with Honda to take over as an engine supplier, it seems they are still deciding on a route to the top of the grid and don't have a plan that seems to be working.
Red Bull have had links with Norris in the past, and there have been rumors of him holding talks with the team over a potential switch at some point in recent years. Max Verstappen won't be moving anywhere anytime soon, but that second seat on the reigning championship winning car doesn't look too secure, with Sergio Perez's days seemingly numbered unless his performance and team-playing improves. Could we see Norris jump over to Red Bull and team up with his pal Max Verstappen at some point soon? Would he be happy to take a secondary seat in a team, in return for the potential of more race wins?
Another option that could be on the cards for Lando is to hold out at McLaren until the inevitable day comes where Lewis Hamilton calls it quits and retires from the sport, leaving an open seat at Mercedes.
Whether Lando decides to stick around with McLaren for the foreseable future, in the hopes that the team will be able to pick up the pieces and make a leap up the field, or if he'll be bought out of his contract early and swap to a different team, only time will tell. But if things were to continue as they are just now, his future with McLaren doesn't look to bring him the race wins and championship fight he is capable of and deserves.
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