09 September 2023 , 08:00
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Jenson Button thinks fellow Brit Lando Norris might join Red Bull so he can test himself against Max Verstappen.
The McLaren driver's future is the subject of intense speculation once again. And that's despite the fact he has a contract with the Woking squad which runs until the end of the 2025 season.
We have seen before, though, that contracts can be bought out if a team throws enough money at it. And Red Bull have the resources to do exactly that should it decide that Norris is the top target to replace Sergio Perez.
The Mexican has one more season on his deal, but may not get a new one. And he has already admitted that he will consider his other options if he feels he can no longer contribute to the team.
Former McLaren racer Button thinks Norris has a big decision to make. The Red Bull car may be faster than the one he has now but, as Perez's struggles have proven this year, it is difficult to driver for anyone not surnamed Verstappen.
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"The issue is, you have to beat the best to be world champion," he told Sky Sports. "When I left Brawn, I was like, 'I have to go to McLaren because I need to race against Lewis Hamilton', who was regarded as the best. I think that's what he's going to decide he wants to do.
"If he's clever, he will decide on a car that suits his style. We've seen that Red Bull doesn't suit many drivers, apart from Max. So, it's not an easy decision for him – he's not in a car that can win right now and he probably won't [be] next year either, I don't think.
"So yeah, he's got to be looking elsewhere for 2025. Or, he puts his trust in McLaren – they've won races and won championships, and that can come back around. As long as he can see the future and think that they're in a good place as a team and that gives him confidence, stay there. If not, go and fight Max Verstappen in his own team. But it's a hard one."
Norris has previously expressed a desire to grow with McLaren and win with the team which gave him his Formula 1 debut five years ago. But if the team cannot match his ambition in the next few years, he knows what he must do. "I owe McLaren a lot, but I don't owe them my life," the 23-year-old told RaceFans.
"There've been some opportunities here and there, but Ferrari has been pretty much booked. Mercedes has been pretty much booked. Red Bull, there's always stuff going on... McLaren has always ended up being the best option – that's why I'm here still."