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Lando Norris reveals shocking near-miss with Red Bull: could he have been a champion?

James Taylor by James Taylor
January 7, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Lando Norris reveals shocking near-miss with Red Bull: could he have been a champion?

Formula One F1 - Italian Grand Prix - Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy - September 5, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris arrives ahead of practice REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Lando Norris: The Racing Prodigy Who Almost Joined Red Bull – A Shocking Revelation!

In a jaw-dropping confession, former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has lifted the veil on intense negotiations with Lando Norris, asserting that the McLaren star “would have fitted very well” into the Red Bull team. This revelation comes on the heels of Norris clinching his first-ever Drivers’ Championship title, marking McLaren’s first championship win since 2008, triumphing over Max Verstappen by a mere two points at the Yas Marina Circuit last year.

Marko, who recently departed from his influential role after a two-decade-long tenure with Red Bull, shared an intriguing insight into the discussions that could have dramatically altered the landscape of Formula 1. Norris, who joined the McLaren junior program in 2017, could have been donning the colors of Toro Rosso (now known as Racing Bulls) back in 2016, had the stars aligned differently.

Despite the potential of a career-changing move, the negotiations ultimately fizzled out, and in a striking twist, it seems that a second opportunity for a transfer materialized in 2022. However, Norris opted for a multi-year deal with McLaren instead of joining the powerhouse Red Bull team.

Marko revealed, “We had, at a very early stage, a negotiation with Lando Norris, and in the end, we didn’t get him.” He went on to emphasize, “Yes, I think he would have fitted very well to us. But on the other hand, we can’t have everybody. We are looking for champions.”

This statement underscores the high stakes in the competitive world of Formula 1, where every decision can make or break a driver’s career. Norris’s journey took a tumultuous turn as the 2022 season opened with the start of the ground effects era, which saw McLaren struggling at the bottom of the grid. CEO Zak Brown’s candid admission that the team had missed its development targets with the MCL36 only added to the pressure.

Choosing loyalty over a more competitive package from Red Bull, Norris made a pivotal decision to remain with McLaren, the very team that launched his F1 career in 2019. Reflecting on his choice, he stated, “It’s more just I was coming to the end of my contract, and it wasn’t like we [Red Bull and I] were talking heavily.”

He continued, “Before I’ve ever spoken to anyone else, my talks have always been with McLaren first, that’s always how it goes. As much as sometimes you might like what could happen, the best thing for me is signing the contract that I have now.” This commitment not only solidified his place in Formula 1 but also offered him a sense of security and comfort in his environment.

Norris’s refusal to jump ship to Red Bull, a team renowned for its high-performance machinery, could very well be seen as a masterstroke in retrospect, especially given his recent championship triumph. The young driver’s loyalty to McLaren has undoubtedly paid off, but it leaves fans wondering what might have been had he taken a different route.

As the 2025 season approaches, the motorsport world watches closely—what does the future hold for Lando Norris? Will he continue to rise as a champion within McLaren, or will Red Bull come knocking again? One thing is certain: the drama and intrigue surrounding Norris’s career are far from over!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-mclaren-f1-championshiphelmut-markosLando Norrismax-verstappen-en
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