Peter Windsor wonders whether Lando Norris does not want to be challenged because he has been committed to McLaren until after 2025. In the Brit’s opinion, the 24-year-old should be in a better car, but because he has signed a new deal, his chances are limited. The fact that McLaren is also very committed to Oscar Piastri should have been a sign for Norris.
In the last week of January, Norris announced that he will stay at McLaren for even longer. The British racing team did not share details about the contract, but did indicate that the 24-year-old would remain with the team until after 2025. Not everyone understood this, because Red Bull Racing would also have been interested in Norris. There is also speculation as to whether McLaren’s focus has shifted to Piastri, who had a successful debut year. “And Oscar is not leaving,” says Windsor in the live chat on his YouTube channel. “And that should be another reason for Lando to think: I have to get out of there and get into a Red Bull or a Mercedes.”
Norris has so far failed to score his first victory, while Piastri has a victory in the Qatar sprint race to his name. Although it is not a Grand Prix victory, it is a victory. “Norris has to think, whatever I have, it’s going to be as good as Oscar, but not better than Oscar,” Windsor continues. ‘I’m surprised he signed for McLaren so early. Lando may not want to be challenged, he may not want to be in that position, but he has Oscar there. I thought everyone would say this guy should be in a Ferrari or Mercedes, I think so too.’
Mercedes will focus entirely on Russell
After all, a seat becomes available at Mercedes that could have belonged to Norris, especially considering that McLaren is a Mercedes customer team. However, Windsor thinks Mercedes has a different priority this year. “Lewis will soon have no one to talk to, because Toto’s focus this year will be on making George the best driver ever,” Windsor points out. ‘It will be interesting to see. Because if George comes second in a difficult car, and Lewis had a bad race and they made bad decisions and he comes seventh, will Toto still go on the radio saying: Lewis, this is not good enough, you deserve more? Probably not.’
