Formula 1 driver Lando Norris has shut down recent speculation that he has been privately testing rally cars, but admitted he hopes the rumours become reality in the future.
The Briton is chasing his first World Championship in F1 going up against his own team-mate, Oscar Piastri, who now leads the Drivers’ standings after his victory in Jeddah.
However, a rumour had been spread across the paddock by former Williams team manager Peter Windsor, who claimed Norris had been involved in testing various rally cars.
In response to the gossip, however, Norris soon squashed any indication that it was true.
Speaking ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the 25-year-old declared that the reports were indeed incorrect.
“I really wanted to come in here and say, ‘Yeah, it’s true’, but it’s not,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I said a couple of years ago, I’m not allowed.
“Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] doesn’t let me drive rally cars, probably for a good reason, but I’ve said many times I would love to.
“It’s so weird how people come up with such things in the media.
“That’s how terrible it is sometimes, rather than just asking me before publishing things.”
Norris admits he would ‘love’ to give rallying a go
Whilst the reports were completely wide of the mark, Norris refused to rule out any exploration into the motorsport category in the future.
“I have a lot of respect for rally drivers,” he added.
“They are definitely crazy and slightly insane, but I would love it because it’s a very different aspect compared to what I do now.
“But it’s still driving, it’s still cars and all those things, [just] probably a bit more on the dangerous side.
“So I don’t know how much I would love it, but it’s another thing in my life that I would love to tick off at some point, get to experience and have a go.
“So hopefully that can become a headline at some point and can become the truth.”
As to when he would act on those desires, Norris remained quiet on that front, as it appears the McLaren driver will remain in F1 for the foreseeable future.
Of course, he is still chasing his dream of becoming World Champion, as he faces off against Piastri and the reigning champion, Max Verstappen.
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