Among the many favourites to assert a maiden victory on the Monaco Grand Prix, F1 star Lando Norris turned a everlasting resident of the principality partly in actual fact for one main cause
System One star Lando Norris wasn’t afraid to confess the rationale 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 can be his first win on the notoriously tough monitor.
It is the second season in a row the place the 25-year-old is a viable title challenger as he at present 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 take pleasure in” residing 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 crew for 4 years and has since signed a multi-year contract extension to tie him to McLaren till the top of 2027.
Regardless of the gap away from his household and the crew’s Woking base, Norris has definitely loved the lavish way of life and fixed temperate local weather however there’s one benefit that ranks above all, based on the person himself.
With Monaco well-known for being a tax haven the place residents don’t pay tax on private revenue, Norris admitted his transfer was financially motivated.
“I am shifting to Monaco after [the final race in] Abu Dhabi for the explanations you most likely anticipate,” he mentioned, 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 shortly issues also can go downhill.
“In fact I am going to perceive and there is going to be some [criticism] for positive. Folks 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 residence. 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 with the ability to go in each time I wished to,” he mentioned.
“Each time I had a nasty weekend, I might simply go in on no matter day to be on the simulator to strive issues, talking to my engineers, and so forth. And I like England. It is nonetheless most likely my favorite place to be.
“My household are there, my pals are there. And I feel I mentioned many occasions that for me, enjoyable and delight, and having fun with what I am doing, takes precedence over making these form 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.”
