Lando Norris finds positives in 'Verstappen to McLaren rumors': "It's cool"

Photo: Race Pictures

Updated: 15:15, 02 Jul

Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.

Lando Norris believes it is 'cool' that a driver such as Max Verstappen is linked to McLaren. The Briton is also confident that he can defeat any driver on the grid, including the Dutchman.

Ahead of the British GP, according to Sky Sports News, Verstappen's camp has held a meeting with McLaren, with the British TV channel understanding that the discussions were initiated by Verstappen's camp.

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At the FIA Press Conference at Silverstone, Norris was asked about the possibility of having a new teammate. "To be honest, a lot of drivers want to come to McLaren, so I don't know why you just highlight Max. There's quite a few others that I know that don’t want to come as well. It's a cool thing.

"It's a good thing that a four-time world champion wants to come on board and wants to potentially join the team. I don't know how much of it's true, but it's a cool thing. If there's an opportunity for me to drive with other people, it's something I've always looked forward to, but it's not a thing for now. It's not a serious thing."

The defending world champion continued: "I'm just excited for my future with McLaren. I'm still going to be here for many, many more years. I'm excited for whoever I get partnered with. For the time being, me and Oscar are still working very well together. We’re excited to work together for more years too. That's our focus for now."

Norris would also welcome the opportunity to be teammates with the four-time world champion. "I certainly think I've improved comparing to last year. It's also just a very different car to drive. So you have to adapt to those situations. I also feel like I'm certainly a little bit more of a complete driver. I'm able to adapt more to different situations and driving styles and characteristics that the car needs to be driven in. And I do believe I can— I think we have to just word it carefully, I do believe I can beat any driver.

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"I think what makes Max so incredible is how he is over the course of a season. Every single weekend, performing to the level that he does is what's impressive. I think a lot of drivers on the grid can go out and get a pole and can put in incredible laps. What makes people great and elite is performing at that level, but in every practice, every qualifying, every race. And I think that's something that Max is able to do, I think that's probably better than almost everyone. I believe whether it's him or having a chance to go against Lewis or, orFernando, you know, any of the, the people, the, the drivers that people know are some of the best, I think it's a cool opportunity for me at the same time. So excited for whatever may come my way in the future," he explained.

Norris says there's only team he'd leave McLaren for

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his home Grand Prix, the McLaren driver revealed that there is only one other team he would like to race for in the distant future besides his current one.

"If there's any place I want to go, there's only one place I would ever be interested in. But that's very, very in the distant future. For now, I'm heavily committed to McLaren being the only team I'll ever want to be with."

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	171
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	131
3	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	125
4	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	80
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	79
6	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	79
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	73
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	42
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	41
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	30
11	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	16
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	14
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
21	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Lando Norris finds positives in 'Verstappen to McLaren rumors': "It's cool"

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