Lando Norris has ‘invitation’ to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull says F1 rival

Max Verstappen sent offer to quit Red Bull and join F1 rival keen to be his team-mate

Williams ace Alex Albon has sensationally claimed that Lando Norris has an ‘open invitation’ from Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s team-mate. Norris is undoubtedly one of the best young drivers on the grid and is currently enjoying a rich vein of form, having achieved four podium finishes in his last seven races.

The 23-year-old is known to have spoken to Red Bull in the past, with his impressive recent showings leading to renewed speculation that a future move could be a real possibility. It has now been claimed by Albon, who drove for Red Bull in 2019 and 2020, that an invitation for Norris to link up with Verstappen has been on the cards for ‘a while’.

“I think if he wants it, yes, but let’s see because I think no one enjoys to be Max’s team-mate.” Albon told Sky Italy when quizzed on whether Red Bull could poach Norris in the future.

“It’s hard, I have experience with that, but if he’s confident in himself which he should be… from what I hear, the invitation has been open for a while. It’s hard to say now, because just like I have with Williams, you can tell the relationship Lando has with McLaren is very strong and for now it looks like there’s no reason to change.”

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Norris remains tied down to McLaren until the end of 2025 after signing a new long-term deal with the Woking squad last year. He is also competing for regular podiums following their rise up the pecking order and enjoys the privilege of being their lead driver, with Oscar Piastri lacking the experience of his British team-mate.

However, it remains to be seen whether Norris will entertain the idea of joining Red Bull at some point further down the line. The reigning champions have been widely tipped to part ways with Sergio Perez before the end of next year, with the Mexican having struggled to impress for the last two seasons.

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Norris has also spoken about the possibility of racing alongside Verstappen, telling the F1 website last month: “It’s definitely something I would be open to in the future. I think I can happily say Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in the history of F1.

“I never raced against him until I was in F1, but I was always in the category below. In karting I already knew him reasonably well. Back in 2012-2013 was the first time I got to meet him and get to know him, so I’ve been able to witness what he’s doing and I think it’s not just that he’s in a good car and he’s able to perform.

“I think no matter what car he’s in, he’ll be able to perform at a similar level. Maybe with different results, but at a similar level, and I think at that point it’d be great to work alongside someone like that. At the same time, to see where I can really stand against him. I’d be open to it.”

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