Horner: 'We've spoken with Norris a couple of times'

40

Christian Horner confirmed that Lando Norris has been on Red Bull's radar on several occasions in recent years, after the Briton revealed that he had been approached in the past by the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

In Mexico, Norris said that he had a contact with Red Bull prior to signing his most recent long-term contract with McLaren, although he admitted that it had been nothing more than a casual conversation.

"I spoke to them, I spoke to a few other people," Norris revealed. "But, like, a chat’s a chat. It’s not like, ‘what can we do’ straight away.

"It was just coming to the end of the contract when you just see what options are available. You just kind of find out what might be possible over the next few years.

"It wasn’t just Red Bull – every driver has chats with a lot of the different teams about what could happen, and simple as that, basically."

Horner confirmed the encounter but added that there had been several talks over the years with the McLaren charger.

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko had put Norris on his radar when the young gun was competing in F3 and in F2 although he was already affiliated with McLaren at the time.

Read also: Wolff ‘likes’ Ricciardo but is non-committal on Mercedes reserve role

But in 2018, Marko approached McLaren in an attempt to secure Norris' services for Toro Rosso where the Briton would have replaced Brendon Hartley mid-season.

"We’ve spoken with Lando a couple of times over the years," said Horner.

"But every time we’ve had a conversation, the next day he’s signed a contract with McLaren!

"He’s on a long-term contract with McLaren and looks like he’s going to be there for a few more years."

Indeed, earlier this year, Norris signed a lucrative new multi-year deal with team papaya that will see the 22-year-old remain with McLaren until the end of 2025.

But Red Bull may well come knocking once again ahead of 2026, although pairing Norris with his good friend Max Verstappen would likely prove massively costly for the world championship winning team, perhaps even in more ways than just financial.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.