Lando Norris has been compared to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham in terms of transfer market potential, sparking discussions about his future in the sport.
With Audi set to join the Formula 1 grid in 2026 as part of a partnership with Sauber, the question of whether Norris could be of interest to the Audi works squad has surfaced.
Norris is currently under contract with McLaren, a deal that extends until the end of 2025.
This timeframe means that his contract will expire before the introduction of the new generation of challengers and power units for the following season, when Audi is poised to make its Formula 1 debut.
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Sky F1 reporter Craig Slater drew parallels between Norris and footballers like Jude Bellingham, stating, “If he were a footballer, I think he’d be in the 100 million category.
“He’s young, he’s talented, he’s marketable as well.”
While Norris’s potential transfer value is high, his existing contract with McLaren would command a significant fee if another team were to seek his release before 2025.
Red Bull has expressed interest in Norris for the future, but Slater believes that, as of now, no team would be inclined to pay the necessary sum for an early release.
Considering the possibilities, Slater raised the question of whether Audi might enter the picture. “Audi could be interesting in a couple of years’ time,” Slater suggested.
“When they come into Formula 1, they will want a big name to be the face of their team. Might Lando Norris fit the bill in that regard?
“Might he link up again with his former boss at McLaren, Andreas Seidl?
“But a lot depends on where McLaren is at in a couple of years.”
Currently, McLaren is experiencing a resurgence, with their strong development program for the MCL60 propelling them into podium contention. Norris has achieved four second-place finishes in the 2023 Formula 1 season, indicating promising prospects for the team’s future.
Despite the potential allure of other teams, Slater emphasised that Norris shows no signs of wanting to leave McLaren during his current contract.
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“Lando, speaking to him face-to-face, I have no reason to doubt what he says,” Slater remarked.
“He says he’s fully prepared to see out this contract and he’s ready to wait, even if it takes until the last year of his contract for McLaren to be ready to fight for wins and maybe championships.”
For Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri, their sights are set on chasing down Aston Martin and securing a P4 spot in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, with a 49-point gap currently separating the two teams.