Objective 2024, with an important look towards the future. McLaren CEO Zak Brown, inside an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com Italia, took stock of the next stages that the Woking team will have to face within the circus: from the 2024 season until Norris' renewal, much discussed and desired by several teams in the paddock.
Brown on the future of Norris and McLaren
Asked about the chapter Norris, Brown He didn't think twice about it: the team's will, obviously, is to want to extend the Briton's contract (expiring in 2025), but the renewal topic does not seem to be the main one at McLaren at the moment. First head to 2024, then we'll see. “I have a job: to put the right people in the roles they occupy, providing the resources and support they need. For build a team that can aim to win the championshipTo tell the truth, you need various resources: from the technological department, to the infrastructure and, obviously, also two excellent drivers."
"Norris – explains Brown – he is under contract for another couple of years: as regards the renewal with McLaren, we continue to keep the dialogues with him alive as he is starting to reflect on a future that is not far away. We know well that being able to keep Lando and Oscar (Piastri, ed.) for the near future it will be an element to take into great consideration, but at the moment we are very focused on the present".
“The goal will be to get closer to Red Bull”
After the 2023 season, the expectations around McLaren – which has already presented the new livery – they are really tall. The will of the papaya team is to try to confirm them. Possible? Word to Brown: “Our goal is try to bridge the gap. Last year we found ourselves in the role of second or third hole during the second part of the season and depending on the type of slopes. We know that Red Bull has not planned many developments in 2023, so there is a possibility that there may be an unpleasant surprise for us” concluded the McLaren CEO.
