Lando Norris Missed Out on Move That Would Have Changed F1 History

Lando Norris has become a household name in the world of Formula 1 thanks, in part, to his efforts with McLaren, but things could have been very different for the Brit.

The Bristol-born driver, who enjoyed a remarkable rise through the junior ranks, was appointed as McLaren's F1 test and reserve driver at the age of 17 after winning the European Formula Three championship.

At the time, McLaren executive director Zak Brown described Norris as an "outstanding" young talent who was "one of the very best up-and-coming single-seater drivers in the world."

"At McLaren, we are all extremely keen to help him achieve his goal of racing in Formula 1," added Brown.

Soon, a teenage Norris was promoted to a full-time Formula 1 driver and the rest, as they say, is history. The 26-year-old is currently leading the 2025 F1 title race for McLaren with two rounds remaining.

But things could have been very different for Norris and the McLaren team.

Helmut Marko, who is the head of Red Bull's driver development programme and an advisor to the Red Bull Racing F1 team, has helped launch the careers of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen in more recent times.

And while appearing on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast this month, Marko was asked if there was anyone who slipped through his fingers that he wanted to have but didn't.

“We had very early-stage negotiations with Lando Norris, and in the end, we didn't get him," said Marko. "I think he would have fitted very well with us, but on the other hand, we can't have everybody.”

Back in 2022, then-Red Bull team boss Christian Horner confirmed that talks had been held between Norris and Red Bull on more than one occasion.

“We’ve talked to Lando a couple of times over the years, but every time we’ve had a conversation, he’s signed a contract with McLaren the next day,” said Horner.

“He’s on a long-term contract with McLaren and it looks like he’s going to be there a few more years.”

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for excessive skid block wear on both McLaren cars. Image credit: Getty

Explaining his renewal with McLaren in 2022, Norris said: “Teams are about people, and I love the people and feel at home at McLaren. I have grown up in this team and I’m part of this journey we’re all on."