Former driver warns Norris: 'It's not worth the risk'

F1 News

Johnny Herbert on possible move of Norris to Red Bull
2 January at 10:00
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  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

McLaren driver Lando Norris is in high demand in Formula 1 at the moment. Despite his contract still running until 2025 at McLaren, there are several Formula 1 teams interested in the Briton. These include Red Bull Racing. Former driver Johnny Herbert warns the Brit about this possible switch.

The start of the 2023 season was difficult for McLaren. Really good results were lacking. Halfway through the season, the team managed to make a turnaround that eventually resulted in fourth place in the constructors' championship. Lando Norris' performance was particularly promising and he did not go unnoticed this season.

Helmut Marko has previously indicated Red Bull's interest in Norris. A possible switch could take place from 2025, after Sergio Perez's contract expires.

Herbert doesn't think it's worth the risk

Yet former driver Johnny Herbert warns the young Briton. He thinks that if McLaren continues to develop, Norris will be in a better place there than at Red Bull. "I think if we do it just from a driver’s perspective, you’re always going to try and work out what’s going to benefit you,” Herbert told Express Sport. “Now is the risk of him going to Red Bull worth it in the situation that he finds himself?''

“McLaren [are] doing really, really well… McLaren love having him in the team. He delivers when the car is working properly… Is it worth the risk? Personally no, I don’t think it is worth the risk.''

Norris is now in a good place

“He’s still young, he’s still going to get better, he’s still going to improve and at the moment, McLaren are on a very good trajectory to, you know, get themselves maybe in a stronger position for next year. We’re going to have to wait and see obviously, but I don’t see why he’d want to make his life that little bit more difficult when he actually is in a very good position that he’s got at the moment.”