SUMMARY
- Lando believes he will not be able to beat Max in Red Bull.
- Fans take to Social Media to crticize Lando Norris for havign a negative mindset.
Lando Norris is undoubtedly one of the best drivers on the F1 grid. He has been with McLaren since his debut in 2019. Over the years, he has grown with the team to start competing for consistent podiums and wins. This has impressed everyone in the paddock including some top teams in F1.
Lando recently extended his contract with McLaren which will see him drive for the team until the 2026 season at least. While this is positive news for him and the team, he did mention that some other teams reached out to him. Among these teams were the reigning Champions, Red Bull. Norris revealed why he decided not to join Red Bull. However, he did not receive a lot of positive reactions to this reason.
Lando Norris receives criticism for negative mindset
During an interview after his contract extension, Norris said he spoke to a number of teams before choosing to stay with McLaren. He was even approached by Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez. However, Lando chose not to do so as he did not want to race in the same car as Max Verstappen.
“If you want to go against the best driver in the world, it’s not the best thing to do”
Lando thinks that he will not be able to challenge Max if he joins Red Bull. He believes joining a team that is built around him will not be the answer to becoming a World Champion.
This is an unusual take. I thought one would sell your soul to get into the fastest car. Maybe he’s had a chat with RIC. A little disappointed ☹️ https://t.co/FJdUULcPhl
— Mark Lane (@MarkLaneF1) January 27, 2024
Verstappen joined Red Bull Racing in 2016. Since then, he has shown that he can be one of the best drivers in the world. In 2023, he broke several single-season records that placed him in an elite level of drivers including Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and Sebastian Vettel.
Max has evolved his racing style and approach to Red Bull’s cars. This allows him to get adjusted to the car every season significantly quicker than the other driver. This is one of the reasons why none of his teammates have been able to challenge him since Ricciardo left the team.
What kind of mindset is this?
Lewis Hamilton fought the reining world champion as a rookie, Charles Leclerc raced a world champion at 21. George Russell went up against the best driver in history of F1.
If you don’t want to measure yourself against better drivers how are you… https://t.co/qR3ZkL94Ws
— Stefanie (@fastpitstop) January 27, 2024
This is why Lando Norris thinks that Red Bull will not be the answer for him to win a Championship. He thinks he will have a better chance with McLaren. Lando Norris has adapted his driving style and approach to suit McLaren’s cars. So he will have the advantage with this team and will have a better chance to challenge for the Championship. However, the public does not think this is the right mindset.
Helmut Marko publicly invited Lando Norris to Red Bull
There was no doubt that Red Bull was interested in Lando. Helmut Marko even went as far as publically issuing the British driver with an invitation to join the team.
“He has a contract with McLaren until 2025, but he is by far the strongest of the young drivers. His youthful nature would also suit him best to Red Bull, and it’s no secret that Max and he are good friends.”
Hamilton went up against a 2x WDC in the same car
Leclerc went up against a 4x WDC in the same car
Russell didn’t hesitate once racing Lewis (who was coming off a title fight) in the same car
This is some of weakest shit I have ever heard https://t.co/n6lF7b1lFH
— Buc Nasty 🏁 (@premystic) January 27, 2024
If Lando had accepted this public invitation, it would be making headlines on the news. However, he did have a contract until the end of the 2025 season at the time, while Red Bull will need someone to replace Perez after the 2024 season. This gives a 1-year overlap between both contracts.
However, Lando has now chosen to put an end to all the rumors by showcasing his loyalty to McLaren with his new contract extension. Given McLaren’s pace last year, there is a good chance that they will make their way to the Championship fight in the coming years.