Helmut Marko names Lando Norris as the premier choice for Red Bull over Lewis Hamilton

Helmut Marko names Lando Norris as the premier choice for Red Bull over Lewis Hamilton

Lando Norris (Image credit: PlanetF1), Helmut Marko (Image credit: Planet Sport) and Lewis Hamilton (Image credit: NZ Herald)

McLaren’s season has witnessed a remarkable evolution since Silverstone. Just on the cusp of the summer break, Lando Norris secured back-to-back podiums for the first time in his career. In parallel, Lewis Hamilton has impressively notched up four podium finishes. However,  Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko positioned Lando Norris ahead of the seven-time champion Hamilton in the reckoning for a coveted spot with the Milton Keynes team.

Helmut Marko mentioned that he could easily envision the possibility with Lando Norris while admitting he faced more challenges with Lewis Hamilton. He noted the absence of team orders as a principle, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the team’s overall atmosphere and competitiveness. Marko referred to the precedent set by F1 icons Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. He explained the potential complexities of having two prominent drivers as teammates.

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“With Norris, I can well imagine that, with Hamilton, I have a harder time. In principle, we never have a team order or anything like that. But the overall team atmosphere and competitiveness must not suffer. If you have two such stars, we take the past, Senna Prost did not go well,” Helmut Marko told Motorsports Magazine.

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Also read: Ex-F1 driver prefers Max Verstappen as a teammate than Lewis Hamilton, says the Dutchman has got ‘something extra’

Sergio Perez’s seat in jeopardy as Helmut Marko eyes Lando Norris as a potential replacement

Sergio Perez (Image credit: Road & Track)

Ever since Sergio Perez’s dip in performance this year, speculations about Lando Norris joining Red Bull gained traction. Perez, facing mounting pressure, struggled with five consecutive Q3 failures despite commanding the grid’s fastest car. In contrast, Norris enjoys a splendid streak, securing two podiums in his last three races. This remarkable form has inevitably forged links between Norris and elite teams like Red Bull.

Furthermore, McLaren’s recent struggles had Norris contemplating a potential departure. The team’s challenges are evident, having managed only one victory in over a decade. Yet, recent race performances suggest a resurgence might be on the horizon. However, Red Bull is a significant obstacle on McLaren’s path to victory. With an impressive 12-race winning streak, the Milton Keynes outfit’s dominance remains unchallenged.

In light of Red Bull’s ongoing triumphs, Norris’s desire to race for them seems natural. Meanwhile, the Woking-based team is placed P5 in the constructors’ standings ahead of Alpine. Lando Norris has claimed the eighth spot in the drivers’ championship with 69 points.

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