Among the many favourites to say a maiden victory on the Monaco Grand Prix, F1 star Lando Norris grew to become a everlasting resident of the principality partly actually for one main purpose
System One star Lando Norris wasn’t afraid to confess the explanation behind his controversial relocation to Monaco was for cash. The McLaren driver solely has a brief journey to make when competing within the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday the place he’ll be among the many favourites to seize victory in what could be his first win on the notoriously troublesome monitor.
It is the second season in a row the place the 25-year-old is a viable title challenger as he at the moment sits second within the driver standings with 133 factors, 13 factors behind team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Having been born and raised in England, Norris beforehand acknowledged that he “wouldn’t get pleasure from” dwelling in Monaco, however seemingly had a change of coronary heart when opting to maneuver to the semi-enclave on the finish of 2021.
His relocation got here simply earlier than signing a mammoth £80million contract with the Surrey-based F1 workforce for 4 years and has since signed a multi-year contract extension to tie him to McLaren till the tip of 2027.
Regardless of the gap away from his household and the workforce’s Woking base, Norris has actually loved the lavish way of life and fixed temperate local weather however there’s one benefit that ranks above all, in response to the person himself.
With Monaco well-known for being a tax haven the place residents don’t pay tax on private earnings, Norris admitted his transfer was financially motivated.
“I am transferring to Monaco after [the final race in] Abu Dhabi for the explanations you in all probability count on,” he stated, whereas risking outrage. “It is one thing that clearly a whole lot of drivers go to do and particularly, with how racing is, I feel we have seen for different drivers how rapidly issues may also go downhill.
“After all I am going to perceive and there is going to be some [criticism] for positive. Individuals do many issues in life for cash. That is simply one other one.”
Norris is only one of many drivers on the grid that made the an identical determination of constructing Monaco dwelling. The likes of Alex Albon, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Nico Hulkenberg, all reportedly keep property within the micro-state.
The choice to go away his Surrey base wasn’t a straightforward one for Norris who spoke of the perks he had when being so near McLaren’s base. “There was nonetheless much more to realize from me and my profession to being at McLaren and having the ability to go in each time I wished to,” he stated.
“At any time when I had a nasty weekend, I may simply go in on no matter day to be on the simulator to strive issues, chatting with my engineers, and so forth. And I like England. It is nonetheless in all probability my favorite place to be.
“My household are there, my buddies are there. And I feel I stated many instances that for me, enjoyable and pleasure, and having fun with what I am doing, takes precedence over making these type of selections.
“So it isn’t a not a straightforward determination. And it isn’t one thing I have been pondering of for a few years. I simply really feel like I am in a cushty place on the minute to make this determination and spend the time to maneuver over there.”
