Helmut Marko, Red Bull's senior advisor, revealed that Lando Norris was close to signing with Red Bull's junior team, then known as Toro Rosso, in 2019. A contract was prepared, but McLaren intervened after discovering the discussions, utilizing a clause in Norris’ contract to block the move. Norris joined McLaren as a junior driver in 2017 and made his F1 debut with them in 2019, where he has since emerged as a key competitor, securing two wins in the current season. Red Bull is facing a challenging season, with their lead reduced to just eight points over McLaren in the Constructors' Championship as Norris closes in on Max Verstappen in the Drivers' Championship. Marko's comments highlight how different Norris's career trajectory could have been had McLaren not acted swiftly to secure him. Despite the speculation, Norris remains committed to McLaren, expressing gratitude for the team's role in his career development.