JUST IN: <\/strong> Mercedes urged to sack George Russell with Sergio Perez ‘ready to retire’<\/strong><\/p>\n “Obviously, there\u2019ll be explanations in the design rooms and they will have found something out, but it gives you a lot of confidence. At the start of the year, everyone was saying: \u2018Oh, Lando\u2019s got to start thinking about other options because McLaren are so bad\u2019.<\/p>\n “Well, you have to say, since really Silverstone onwards, McLaren has been in that gaggle. Probably second, third, or fourth-best car with Mercedes and Ferrari all at different times, Mercedes probably a bit further back.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> “But, you know, now there\u2019s a good reason to stay there. If they can keep working on that philosophy and exploit a bit more from it, then it could be interesting going into next year.”<\/p>\n Norris, who has picked up more points without taking a Grand Prix victory than any other driver, would almost certainly have added some wins to his name by now if he was in the same Red Bull as Verstappen. However, there are still over two years left for McLaren to convince him that his future lies with them before the time comes to make a decision on where to go next.<\/p>\n He recently admitted that he would be open to teaming up with Verstappen at some point, though, telling the F1 website: “It\u2019s definitely something I would be open to in the future. I think I can happily say Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in the history of F1.”<\/p>\n Follow our Express Sport<\/i> page on Instagram <\/b>here<\/b>.<\/b><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/4981378.jpg?r=1695819232648\")
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Michael Schumacher joke made on live Spanish TV as F1 pundit faces backlash[LATEST] <\/strong>
Lando Norris ‘visibly annoyed’ at Oscar Piastri after Japan F1 qualifying[REACTION] <\/strong>
Max Verstappen told he ‘will never overtake Lewis Hamilton as F1 GOAT'[GOSSIP] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/4981391.jpg?r=1695819236284\")
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