The Formula 1 world continues to reverberate from Lewis Hamilton's seismic decision to join Ferrari in 2025, creating a domino effect that has every top team scrambling in the driver market.
Norris Reveals Red Bull Approach
McLaren star Lando Norris has disclosed that Red Bull made approaches for his services "a few years ago" during contract discussions. The British driver, who recently extended his commitment to McLaren until the end of 2026, acknowledged the interest from the championship-winning team but emphasised his loyalty to the Woking-based outfit.
"There was a little bit of talk," Norris admitted, though he clarified that "it was a few years ago" and that "nothing ever became serious." His decision to remain with McLaren demonstrates his belief in the team's project and their competitive trajectory.
Hamilton's Ferrari Bombshell
The racing community remains stunned by Hamilton's forthcoming move to Maranello, ending his long-standing partnership with Mercedes. This shock transfer has triggered what team principals are calling "the driver market of a generation," with multiple seats now available at top-tier teams.
Norris commented on the unprecedented situation: "I'm sure it's stirred up a lot of interest and a lot of excitement for a lot of people." The young Briton acknowledged that while he's secure in his current position, "everyone's talking to everyone" behind the scenes.
Verstappen's Dominance Challenged
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been open about his efforts to secure the best possible teammate for Max Verstappen. With Sergio Pérez's contract expiring at the end of 2024, the energy drink giant is carefully considering their options to maintain their championship-winning form.
Horner revealed that while Norris was on their radar, the Bristol-born driver's "loyalty to McLaren" ultimately prevented any serious negotiations from developing. The Red Bull chief praised Norris as "an awesome driver" who "wouldn't have been out of place in a Red Bull car."
Driver Market Domino Effect
The 2025 grid is taking shape with remarkable speed:
- Hamilton's move to Ferrari creates a vacancy at Mercedes
- Carlos Sainz becomes available despite strong performances
- Multiple teams are reconsidering their long-term strategies
- Young drivers see unexpected opportunities emerging
Norris summed up the prevailing mood in the paddock: "It's created a bit more excitement than was probably expected." The coming months promise further dramatic developments as teams position themselves for the new regulations in 2026.
This represents the most significant driver market shakeup in recent F1 history, with British drivers at the very heart of the action. The decisions made in the coming weeks could define team fortunes for the next era of Formula 1 competition.
