Norris: I'd be open to be Verstappen's teammate

Verstappen might be the best driver Red Bull could've asked for, but he has also presented them with a dilemma, as they are unable to find a teammate that can get close enough to him in terms of pace in order to function as a proper number two driver.

After Daniel Ricciardo left Red Bull in the end of the 2019 F1 season, the team placed Pierre Gasly alongside Verstappen but the Frenchman lasted 12 races and was replaced by Alex Albon mid season in 2019, the latter lasting until the end of the 2020 season after which he was replaced by Sergio Perez.

The Mexican is still with Red Bull, and while he has been better than his predecessors, he has suffered from fluctuations in his form, still not close to his teammate in qualifying while showing better performances in races.

Perez is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2024 season, but there has been speculation that he may be replaced, once the names rumored to be his replaced being Lando Norris.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner commented on the reports, he said: "Lando is a great driver, there’s no doubt about that, and you can see his potential is growing.

"But he’s a McLaren driver, you have to respect the agreements that are in place, but he’s one of a few drivers at the moment that… He’s doing a great job in the sport.

"Of course, we have our drivers confirmed for ’24. In ’25 we have one seat open and, as you can imagine, there’s not a shortage of interest in that seat, but it’s a long way away at the moment," the Briton added.

Norris is under contract with McLaren until the end of the 2025 F1 season, and while the team have improved since their major midseason upgrade back in Austria this season, they are still far from giving their star driver a Championship winning car.

Quizzed whether he may become Verstappen's teammate one day, Norris was quoted by Formula 1's Official Website, saying: "It’s definitely something I would be open to in the future.

"I think I can happily say Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in the history of F1. I never raced against him until I was in F1, but I was always in the category below.

"In karting I already knew him reasonably well. Back in 2012-2013 was the first time I got to meet him and get to know him, so I’ve been able to witness what he’s doing and I think it’s not just that he’s in a good car and he’s able to perform," he added.

"I think no matter what car he’s in, he’ll be able to perform at a similar level. Maybe with different results, but at a similar level, and I think at that point it’d be great to work alongside someone like that. At the same time, to see where I can really stand against him. I’d be open to it.”

"I invited him to McLaren the other day. So, if he wants to come any time, he’s very welcome," Norris quipped in conclusion.

Norris is yet to win a race for McLaren but has been on pole one time in Russia in 2021, his best result being three second place finishes in Italy (2021), Britain (2023) and Hungary (2023).