Former Ferrari and Williams team manager Peter Windsor has suggested that Lando Norris should consider moving to rivals Alpine, once his McLaren deal expires.
The Briton is currently contracted to the Woking-based side until the end of 2025, with McLaren CEO Zak Brown having already expressed that the 23-year-old hasn’t got any exit clauses.
Norris has endured a challenging season so far as a result of McLaren having fallen backwards, with the British outfit continuing to struggle since the introduction of the new regulations.
Whilst he was previously a common name amongst the top-five, just finishing in the top 10 has been an immense challenge for Norris, who could only finish P17 at the Spanish Grand Prix.
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Many pundits have suggested that Norris will depart McLaren at the first opportunity, with that being at the end of 2025.
One team to have been linked with Norris in the past is Red Bull; however, Windsor has warned the McLaren star against a move to Milton Keynes, unless he’s happy becoming Max Verstappen’s “wingman”.
“I’m sure Lando doesn’t see himself as a Max wingman. I’m sure at this stage of his career he thinks, ‘Oh, I’d love to drive a Red Bull’,” Windsor told his YouTube channel.
“He probably doesn’t think any more than that – just thinks how brilliant it would be to be in a mega car and to just enjoy being in a Red Bull.
“Well then the trouble would start because how’s he going to beat Max Verstappen and then what does Lando Norris become, does he become just a really good number two or what?
“I think that’s a possibility.”
Instead, Windsor believes a move to Alpine would be much better for the talented driver, especially as the Enstone-based team have made progress over the last few races.
Windsor thinks an Alpine switch would be “interesting” and potentially very good, should it actually happen.
“I think there’s half a chance he might go to Alpine, is there not?” Windsor continued.
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“I think he’s on another year [ed’s note, two] so it’s a bit of a wait but Alpine are not going badly, there seems to be a lot of muscle behind that team.
“I’m only saying that because I’m trying to think of what places there might actually be for Lando. And wouldn’t that be an interesting swap.
“Alpine are looking pretty tight now, pretty good team, good looking team.”