Tom Clarkson names one current driver who could join Audi’s new Formula 1 team in 2026

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Journalist Tom Clarkson has said that he could see McLaren driver Lando Norris joining the new Audi F1 team in 2026.

Speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast, Clarkson was chatting to Natalie Pinkham ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.

After five races the Formula 1 grid is starting to take shape as the European leg of the season begins.

Imola’s cancellation means teams have had an extra week to prepare for the most unique race on the grid.

F1 descends on Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, which could throw up some unpredictable results.

McLaren’s lead driver Lando Norris will certainly be hoping for that after a torrid start to the year.

He’s currently sitting ninth in the championship but has only managed to finish in the top ten on two occasions.

Three 17^th-place finishes will be extremely worrying and Martin Brundle has already spoken recently about whether he might want to change teams soon.

Clarkson has now suggested that Norris might be the perfect driver to join Audi when they enter F1.

It would be a high-risk strategy but mirrors a move made by a previous McLaren driver that paid off in the end.

Norris could consider Audi F1 move

Asked about where Norris could end up if he wanted to leave McLaren, Clarkson said: “OK, let’s say he loses patience and he thinks he’s got to go elsewhere to win races and win the World Championship. Where does he go?

“There is one team that I think could potentially be attractive to him and that is Audi.

“So, in 2026, the year after his contract, Andreas Seidl, who is the boss there now is a huge Lando Norris fan.

“Audi is going to have all the resources that it needs to win in Formula 1.

“But again, are they going to be ready on day one? Highly unlikely.

“So, if Lando goes there in 2026 is it going to be at least another three years until he’s in a position to win? In which case, he’s better off staying where he is. It’s a really tricky situation.”

Lewis Hamilton infamously left McLaren to join Mercedes in 2013 as a replacement for Michael Schumacher.

Six Drivers Championships and eight consecutive Constructors Championships later, it proved to be the right call.

Norris may now be wondering if joining Audi when they re-enter F1 might be the gamble that delivers him the success he craves.