Lando Norris and George Russell offer clarity over Red Bull simulator outings

Lando Norris and George Russell have shed light on comments made by Christian Horner regarding their use of Red Bull's simulator in the past.

Horner recently stated that Norris and Russell, as well as Oscar Piastri, “were paying us [Red Bull] to go on our simulator“, during his time as the Milton Keynes-based squad's team principal.

Both Norris and Russell were asked about the remark ahead of the United States Grand Prix weekend.

Reigning champion Norris insisted it was several years before he joined the McLaren programme, and was simply a chance to gain knowledge as he started his single-seater career.

“This is when I was like 13, this was way before McLaren,” Norris told media including RacingNews365. “I couldn't be driving someone else's sim when I'm with McLaren. 

“This was when I was like five years, four years before McLaren. I've not seen any of this or heard any of it. 

“I was doing it with a lot of different teams. I was trying to get experience. I was learning from different people. 

“At that age, it's more valuable than ever to do as much as you possibly can. 

“I drove on different simulators from different teams because it was a good thing for me, especially at that age. 

“I don't know what came out of it after that. So it was more just for my own learning than anything else.”

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Russell reveals Formula Renault experience on Red Bull simulator

Russell told a similar story, stating he used the simulator to prepare for Formula Renault in 2014.

“Back in 2013, simulators weren't really a thing for anybody,” Russell stated.

“Junior teams didn't have simulators. There was an opportunity to do some driving on that simulator in the Formula Renault car. 

“So it was more as preparation for testing and driving for the series that we were racing.

“No teams had it, so that's the extent of it.”