Norris: Sainz should have gone to Red Bull

There is now doubt that many share Norris' sentiments, as it would be a shame that a highly regarded driver cannot find a seat in a competitive Formula 1 car, which probably sheds light on one the less flattering aspects of the sport.

After being linked with seats at Audi-Sauber, Mercedes, Red Bull, Alpine and Williams, it was the latter who have managed to secure Sainz's services, as they seem to have somehow convinced him of their project, or simply because the door is closed - Mercedes and Red Bull, the situation is more dire - Alpine, or the uncertainty is too risky - Audi.

Now it is done, Sainz will be a Williams driver in 2025, but Norris thinks the driver with whom he shared the McLaren garage in 2019 and 2020 should have gone to Red Bull.

Norris told Sky Sports F1: "Honestly, the easy one is just to say Red Bull. He should have gone there in my eyes.

"Obviously, I’m biased, I know Carlos more than I know Checo [Perez], and that kind of thing, but Carlos deserves a lot. He’s one of the best drivers in F1, he’s proven that countless times, and I’m a good friend of his.

"I’m happy for him that he’s still in F1," the Briton added. "I’m still happy that he got a drive and that he can try and bring Williams back up. Him partnering Alex, I think, will be good for F1 at the same time, so that’s a good thing.

"I’m sure a lot of people would have loved to say that he should have gone to Red Bull, potentially, but that’s not my decision to make," he concluded.