Norris's Endurance Racing Aspirations Mirror Verstappen's Post-F1 Ambitions
Beyond F1: Norris Eyes Endurance Glory, Following Verstappen's Lead
Norris's Post-F1 Vision: Embracing Diverse Motorsport Challenges
Lando Norris has openly shared his enthusiasm for engaging in various racing categories once his tenure in Formula 1 comes to an end. This sentiment reflects the recent actions of Max Verstappen, who has been actively participating in other motorsport series.
Verstappen's Dive into GT Racing and Its Influence
Just a couple of weeks prior, Max Verstappen competed in a Porsche GT4 at the Nordschleife in the Nurburgring Endurance Series to secure a license for racing GT3 cars at the challenging 'Green Hell' track. Verstappen is slated to make his GT3 racing debut at the Nordschleife this Saturday in a Ferrari 296, having long expressed his profound passion for endurance motorsport.
Norris's Endurance Aspirations: A Glimpse into His Future
When questioned about Verstappen's Nurburgring endeavors ahead of the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Norris disclosed his own keen interest in sportscar endurance competitions. The McLaren driver might even have a clear path into this arena, as his team, McLaren, plans to enter the World Endurance Championship in 2027, aiming for an overall victory at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
A Look Back at Norris's Daytona Experience
Norris affirmed his strong desire to participate in such events, stating, “I would love to.” He has previous experience in endurance racing, having competed in the Daytona 24 Hours in 2018 alongside Fernando Alonso and Phil Hanson, a year before joining Formula 1. This experience proved to be a significant and enjoyable one for him.
Future Horizons: Balancing F1 and Other Racing Pursuits
Norris further elaborated on his future plans, acknowledging that his time in Formula 1 is not indefinite. He expressed a wish to explore other ventures and live his life, trying different things. He mentioned the possibility of combining other races with his Formula 1 commitments at some point, or pursuing them after retiring from F1. While he finds events like Le Mans, Daytona, or Sebring appealing, he noted that oval racing is likely something he would never pursue.
Strategic Timing and McLaren's Championship Quest
Norris also pointed out that the timing for engaging in other championships would need to be appropriate. Currently, he is focused on his battle with teammate Oscar Piastri for the 2025 F1 title, which requires his full attention. McLaren is also expected to continue contending for future championships, assuming their plans unfold successfully. Verstappen, despite having won the last four F1 championships, has not been a factor in this year’s title fight, placing him in a different position regarding external racing ventures.
Respect for Verstappen's Path and Shared Ambition
Norris conveyed his respect for Verstappen's decision to pursue other racing forms. He acknowledged that Verstappen is in a more favorable position to do so, given his multiple world championships, which makes it easier for him compared to Norris and Piastri's current focus on securing an F1 title. Nevertheless, Norris emphasized that he shares Verstappen's drive and ambition to explore other enjoyable racing experiences in his own future.