Red Bull interested in Lando Norris, admits Marko

Red Bull avisor Helmut Marko has admitted that the team have held discussions with McLaren about their up and coming young driver Lando Norris, but added that any future communication on the issue will be done in private between the teams.

Norris is hot property at the moment, currently holding the lead in the Formula 2 championship and meaning that more than one F1 team has made an enquiry about his availability.

McLaren boss Zak Brown said that he had considered the approaches on a 'case-by-case' basis, but ultimately rejected the moves on the basis that the 18-year-old would have severed ties completely with McLaren, something Brown is not willing to contemplate.

He said of the situation to Autosport: "We've been approached by more than one team.

"We've had three approaches, of varying degrees. If we felt it was good for his career, and good for McLaren, then we'd consider it on a case by case basis.

"But all of the approaches meant he would have gone away, and we're not interested in that conversation. That's non-negotiable.

"We're not going to train him up for someone else, but I don't think anyone else has any interest in training him up for us."

Red Bull's Marko confirmed that they indeed wee one of the teams who contacted McLaren, with the potential of Norries joining their junior team, Toro Rosso, but added that any future developments will be kept out of the public eye.

He said: "We had discussions, but differently from what was announced by whoever.

"We are making our negotiations behind closed doors, not in public."

Watch what happened when a group of #McLarenPlus fans met @svandoorne and @LandoNorris. ???????? Make sure you're signed up to our fan loyalty programme ??: https://t.co/LFOkh08gkd pic.twitter.com/57xLTxZ4Rz — McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 15, 2018