Could Seidl’s departure mean Lando Norris’s?
Although Andreas Seidl had not planned to leave McLaren before the end of his contract in 2025, he decided to join Sauber prematurely. McLaren Managing Director Zak Brown did nothing to prevent this. However, Seidl's departure may well give Lando Norris pause for thought...
The CEO of McLaren did not appear to be concerned about the sudden departure of Andreas Seidl, the team principal of the racing team. During a press conference, he even admitted to already having a replacement for the position: Italian Andrea Stella. He notably declared, “I would say that we didn’t go from 3 to 2 people, we went from 850 people to 849 people.”
The 51-year-old Italian engineer, recently promoted, has a vast experience in Formula 1, especially since he has been a key member of the team since 2015. As for Andreas Seidl, not only is he leaving the McLaren team, but he is also joining a rival team: Sauber, the future Audi factory team. A tough blow for McLaren.
Could the situation sow doubt in Norris’ mind?
Martin Bundle, an expert at Sky Sports, spoke on the subject: “Lando will wonder why Andreas jumped ship. What did Andreas see at Audi that he prefers over McLaren?”
If Lando Norris is the star of the team, his potential naturally led the team to place their future on the shoulders of the young British driver. And if Andreas Seidl’s departure made him doubt the abilities of the team and his future with them? The driver is young and talented, and if there is something better elsewhere, why not go there? Especially since Sauber will have a head start on their competitors. The team will produce their own engine, so they won’t have to test and adapt it to the car. Obviously, their new recruit for the team principal position is also not an amateur in his field…
What is missing then from the magical recipe for their success? A top-level driver to driver the 2026 Audi single-seater. Surprisingly, Lando Norris’s contract will end in 2025, while Max Verstappen’s expires in 2028, and no one knows when Charles Leclerc’s contract with Ferrari will end, considering his performances.
Norris and Seidl have excellent relations, which could facilitate transfers by 2025…
