“Big signing,” Lando Norris lauds McLaren’s new signing from Red Bull, Rob Marshall, as crucial for team success

Lando Norris hails McLaren’s recruitment of Rob Marshall as, aiming to propel the team towards prominence

“Big signing,” Lando Norris lauds McLaren’s new signing from Red Bull, Rob Marshall, as crucial for team success

Lando Norris and Rob Marshall

Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, McLaren announced Red Bull’s Chief engineering officer Rob Marshall as their new signing and will work with the team from 2024. Marshall joined Red Bull in 2006 and was a part of Adrian Newey’s team that created 4 championship-winning cars between 2011-2013.

McLaren driver Lando Norris was all praise for his team’s newest recruit. “Just knowledge, expertise. He’s been at Red Bull for many, many years, he’s seen a lot of success with the team,” stated Norris, complimenting Marshall’s time with Red Bull. He also claimed that Marshall’s addition to the team would raise its spirits. “He’s a big person, a big signing for us as a team, so I think someone that a lot of people within McLaren will look up to, and respect and so on,” the Brit continued.

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However, Rob Marshall is not the only newcomer to McLaren. The team from Woking has also appointed Dave Sanchez from Ferrari as technical director for car concept and performance. McLaren sternly believes that the trio of Marshall, Sanchez, and Peter Prodromou, who works on aerodynamics, will lead the team back to its winning ways.

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Also read: Carlos Sainz backs Ferrari despite dismissal start to 2023 season, claims the team is moving in the ‘right direction’

Amidst major reorganization of engineers, Lando Norris still has faith in McLaren CEO Zak Brown

Mclaren F1 CEO Zak Brown; Image credit: PlanetF1

After hopes of a reincarnation, McLaren has only been underperforming in recent years. After switching to Mercedes engines, many expectations were on the ‘papaya’ team. However, their only memorable achievement was the victory at Monza in 2021 by Daniel Ricciardo, who isn’t part of the team anymore.

When asked about whether he believes in Zak Brown’s leadership, here is what the 23-year-old had to say. “I guess I would never want to say that I have no belief, and I never have said it and probably won’t, but definitely since the last few changes,” explained Norris. He also expressed optimism speaking about the team’s future. “Definitely things have taken a step forward. So, I can easily confirm that and say it with confidence,” he concluded

Things have not looked great for the Woking-based team this year. McLaren looks sturdy compared to other mid-field teams but has yet to prove their worth. McLaren is 6th in the constructors’ standings with 17 points, with Norris scoring most of the points.

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