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Norris says Red Bull simulator was part of his early learning

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-23GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

After Christian Horner said Norris, George Russell and Oscar Piastri paid to use Red Bull’s simulator, Norris described his use as a chance to learn; Russell said his simulator time prepared him for Formula Renault.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Lando Norris says he used Red Bull’s simulator when he was about 13, around four or five years before joining McLaren’s programme. He gave that account after being asked ahead of the United States Grand Prix weekend about Christian Horner’s claim that Norris, George Russell and Oscar Piastri paid to use the simulator.

Norris said he had used simulators from several teams to gain experience and learn from different people. He described the Red Bull simulator work as mainly for his own learning.

Russell said he used Red Bull’s simulator to prepare for Formula Renault in 2014. He recalled that junior teams did not have simulators in 2013 and said the simulator let him prepare in the Formula Renault car for testing and racing in the series.

The two drivers’ comments explain when and why they used the simulator, but neither addresses Horner’s payment claim.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCELando Norris and George Russell offer clarity over Red Bull simulator outingsRacingNews365 English