F1 News: Helmut Marko Weighs in on the Prospect of Norris Racing Beside Verstappen
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko recently opened up about the enticing possibility of McLaren’s Lando Norris joining their team. Pairing him with Max Verstappen could offer an electrifying on-track performance, making it an absolute treat for fans and media. However, this partnership might come with internal complexities.
The allure of such a duo is undeniable. Marko observed to Motorsport-Magazin.com,
“Having Verstappen and Norris on the same team would be perfect for fans, as well as for television and all journalists.”
However, the seamless hierarchy within a team, based on clear speed differences between drivers, is pivotal for its success. Currently, the disparity in performance between Verstappen and Sergio Perez ensures a well-defined structure. But Norris, with his impressive McLaren track record, could closely match or even rival Verstappen’s speed if he were in a Red Bull car. This poses potential challenges in maintaining team dynamics. As Marko pointed out,
“Of course, for the success of the team, we want to win the World Cup and the best thing for this is to have a clear hierarchy. You have to be clear, I don’t want to say the first driver, but know who is the fastest driver.”
In addition to the Norris scenario, Marko clarified that Colton Herta isn’t on the cards for joining AlphaTauri, due to his age and lack of Formula 1 experience.
