McLaren reveal ‘three approaches’ for Norris

It wasn’t just Toro Rosso who wanted a deal with Lando Norris with Zak Brown revealing three teams makes approaches of “varying degrees” for the Brit.

18-year-old Norris is already being billed one to watch for the future.

He claimed last year’s European Formula 3 title by a 53-point winning margin while this year he is leading the Formula 2 championship.

这是迈凯轮reserve driver’s growing reputation that already three rival teams, including Toro Rosso, have approached McLaren.

The Woking team, though, turned them all down as they want to hold onto the youngster.

“We’ve been approached by more than one team,” Brown told Autosport.

“We’ve had three approaches, of varying degrees.

“Some included this year, but we want him to focus on F2, and keep him at McLaren.

“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.”

Brown admits McLaren are not in an easy situation with their young drivers as they do not have affliated teams in which to blood them.

“We don’t have any sister teams. It’s not ideal,” he added.

“I think it shows that the FIA needs to look closely into how much influence teams have over other teams, because what they’re starting to do is to close down opportunities for people that are independent.”