McLaren open contract conversation with Norris: 'Expressed our love'

F1 News

Stella on Norris' future at McLaren
21 September 2023 at 10:09
Last update 21 September 2023 at 10:27
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  • Cas van de Kleut

Lando Norris is one of the drivers most often linked with a switch to another team. He himself said in an interview that he does not owe McLaren his life. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella tells Sky Sports that talks are ongoing between the Briton and his team.

Norris has been driving for McLaren since his move to Formula 1 in 2019. Over the years, the team has developed a lot, but for now, the MCL60 seems to fall short of a win on a normal weekend. Norris has now driven nearly 100 races, but he has never won one.

Talks with Norris

Stella, meanwhile, says talks are ongoing with the British driver: "They are good conversations, we are happy with how these conversations are going. In terms of getting the vote of confidence, we went back to the facts. Certainly, we expressed our love, if you want, in terms of this human element and also as a team you can want mates to be with you on the journey especially when the journey is so tough."

Still, Stella prefers to stick to the facts about the team's future. He does this by proving on the track that what is promised is actually true: "I would be at a discomfort myself, having a conversation with a driver where I'm trying to persuade him playing cards I don't have in my hands. I don't want to find myself in a situation where a driver said 'hey you said this would have happened, it's not happening.'"