Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, stated that it’s up to the team to demonstrate its capabilities in order to keep Lando Norris in Formula 1 for the long term.
Norris joined McLaren as a junior in 2017 and has held a seat since 2019.
Norris’s stock has risen in recent years. The British driver is under contract until 2025, and Brown is confident that McLaren can persuade Norris to stay, even as he is reportedly courted by teams like Red Bull.
“I firmly believe that whether it’s employees, drivers, sponsors, it’s our job to take care of them and make them want to be at McLaren,” Brown said during the unveiling of the 2024 livery yesterday.
“So, I tend to focus on ensuring McLaren provides the best environment and that people want to be with us, because ultimately, you can’t control external approaches towards these different individuals.”
“I’m very confident in the relationship we have with Lando. I know he’s very excited for this year and was very impressed with what he saw in the second half of last year. He loves working with Andrea [Stella] and everyone on the team.”
“So, all we need to continue to do is provide him with the environment he wants to thrive in, and I’m convinced he’ll choose to stay with us rather than trying to move to a competitor. That’s always been my approach.”
McLaren, which has Oscar Piastri under contract until 2026, finished fourth in last year’s constructors’ championship after making significant gains mid-season.
McLaren’s Ambitious Plans
The team has also completed several upgrades to its infrastructure, including its new in-house wind tunnel, in which the MCL38 – set to be unveiled on February 14 – was exclusively designed.
“Of course, when you’re building a team with the aspiration to win the world championship again, you need leadership, technology, infrastructure, and of course, you need two Grand Prix drivers – and I think we have all those elements in place.”
“We have Lando under contract for a few more years.”
“Of course, we’re in continuous dialogue with him as he starts to think like we do. We’re very much focused on the short term, but 2026 isn’t far away, let’s acknowledge that. Being able to keep Lando and Oscar for the foreseeable future is definitely a key element and a priority for us.”
Can he release Norris in a particular case before the end of his contract?
“No amount of money would be enough!” he replies. “Lando is highly sought after, but I know he wants to succeed and win with McLaren. As long as we’re making progress, he’ll want to stay with us. We have the best driver duo; it’s up to us to give them the best car.”
McLaren’s Plan to Keep Norris How They Will Succeed f1 2024. McLaren’s Plan to Keep Norris How They Will Succeed f1 2024.
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