Lando Norris has responded to Jenson Button's comments. Quoted by Metro states Norris has full confidence in McLaren and is convinced he made the right choice.
Recently, Button questioned Norris' decision to take up a contract extension at McLaren through 2025. McLaren has had some better seasons in recent years but seems unable to really break away from the midfield. According to Button, Norris' talent is being lost at McLaren and the young Briton needs to start thinking more about himself.
In a response, Norris stated that he understands what Button is referring to and respects his opinion, but that ultimately no one else has any say in which team Norris should choose. " It is my choice and I am the one who says yes or no," Norris declared. "I could just be here because I am enjoying it more and I like McLaren and it's as simple as that."
According to Norris, it is important to see a team's results in the context of the times. " The thing with Formula One is that you can be the best driver in the world, and not be in the best car," he explains. "And that is through no fault of your own. Lewis Hamilton came into McLaren when they were winning championships and winning races and from the beginning, that makes you look good. If he came into McLaren now he wouldn’t have won a race and he wouldn’t have been anywhere near the driver he is today or achieved what he has today."
Well, Lewis driving for Mercedes also didn't win any race last season...
Norris declared. "I could just be here because I am enjoying it more and I like McLaren and it's as simple as that."
Clearly for a team where mediocrity is tolerated, the line between winning and losing becomes blurred... Would expect Norris to be a bit more hungrier than this.
If he had the fire to win he wouldn't have been afraid of being Max's teamate and would have accepted Redbull's offer.
"he wouldn’t have been anywhere near the driver he is today"
Lando is realizing that Mclaren is holding him back. Now that Carlos is a race winner he can see the difference it makes in someone he is close with.
'If Hamilton was at McLaren now, he wouldn't have won a single race'
He did in a Mercedes last year!! ....Not one win!
Sounds less like he is defending McLaren and more like he's resigned to never winning a race.
Frustration of making a bad choice extending that contract… its true nobody cn win in the mclaren… not just hamilton… even max cant, charles or perez… or russell …. It simply is a bad car…. Plain and simple!
It will come good with McLaren and Norris, confidence in your team and visa versa is something that pays of in the long run. Max also had to wait for several years to lift the team to a higher level and be able to compete for the WDC.
Norris is a good guy, prefers a nice working environment. I think that is admirable.