McLaren found out

Marko reveals explosive plan: “Contract was ready!”

Helmut Marko (center) has revealed that Max Verstappen's (right) biggest rival at the moment, Lando Norris, almost ended up at Red Bull.(Bild: AFP/APA/ALFREDO ESTRELLA)

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed an explosive but failed plan. According to the report, the racing team was interested in Lando Norris a few years ago. They even had a contract ready for their current fiercest rival. But then McLaren intervened. 

"We had serious talks and a contract ready for Lando Norris," said Marko in the podcast "Inside Line F1", causing a stir. After all, the McLaren driver is currently Red Bull driver Max Verstappen's biggest rival in the battle for the Formula 1 world championship.

However, if Marko's words are to be believed, this current spectacular duel almost didn't happen. The Austrian does not say exactly when the offer was made. However, the now 24-year-old was still a teenager at the time.

But then came McLaren
Norris was already a member of the McLaren family at the time, however, and Red Bull was keen to sign him up. The Briton was to join Toro Rosso. It was an idea that he seemed to warm to. But then everything turned out differently. "Unfortunately, McLaren found out," says an annoyed Marko.

Lando Norris(Bild: GEPA)

McLaren subsequently drew a clause and was thus able to keep Norris. A switch to Red Bull was therefore off the table. A decision with far-reaching consequences. Because the "bulls" have been struggling with serious problems for weeks. World champion Verstappen is still in the lead in the championship, but Norris is considered a serious contender. The title is by no means a foregone conclusion.