Norris has enjoyed a spectacular 2021 campaign, scoring four podium finishes which leaves him fourth in the drivers’ championship ahea🉐d of current Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.

His early-season form earned Norris a new multi-year deal with McLaren which w♓as announced in May ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Since then, Norris finished second at M🐼onza before losing out on the win i꧒n Russia after he refused to switch to intermediates when the downpour arrived.

Red Bull has retained Perez alongside Verstappen for 2022, whi🍌le Norris will spear McLaren's charge into F1's new era alongside Daniel Ricciardo. 

Speakin✤g to , Marko said: "We h🐻ad talks with him, but he's tied to McLaren for the long-term. We stay true to our way.

Marko still beli♒eves Verstappen is the greater talent but admits Norris “caught his eye” with his run of strong performances in 2021.

“I'm proud that we dared to bring Max into Formula 1 at the age of 16,” he added. “He never made me doubt our path was the right one. He is always supe𒀰r focused and nothing can dissuade him from his goal of winning."

“Max is at the top of my ranking because he can deliver immediately in all conditions and without making a mistake, which he impressively demonstrated in the rain of♕ Sochi [in the Russian Grand Prix]. He almost won the race. He only had to come into the pits one lap earlier.”

Verstappen sits just two pointsꦏ behind Lewis Hamilton in the race for this year's drivers' championship.