McLaren solidifies its future by signing Lando Norris to a multi-year deal. The move mirrors Ferrari’s recent action with Leclerc, further stabilizing their driver lineup through 2026.
Today, the McLaren team announced a multi-year contract extension with Lando Norris, thus continuing his tenure at Woking and ensuring his long-term services for the team. Similar to Charles Leclerc’s situation with Ferrari yesterday, the exact duration of Norris’s new contract has not been disclosed.
The British driver recently committed to a new four-year agreement in February 2022, which had him signed until the end of 2025. This latest renewal will see Lando stay with the team beyond the 2025 season, building on his six-year solid relationship with McLaren.
Lando experienced his most successful season to date in 2023, scoring 205 points and finishing sixth in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.
The 24-year-old driver, who recently surpassed 100 starts in Formula 1 Grand Prix, recorded a total of six second-place finishes last season, including a notable performance at the British Grand Prix where he became the first McLaren driver to finish on the podium at Silverstone since 2010. Lando also secured a third place at the Qatar GP and two sprint race podiums.
While McLaren has not confirmed the duration of Norris’s new contract, with the extension of Oscar Piastri’s contract announced in September 2023, the McLaren duo is confirmed at least until the end of 2026.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to stay with this team,” comments Lando Norris.
“I’ve grown up with McLaren and feel at home here; the team is like a family to me. The journey so far has been exciting; we’ve had our ups and downs, but last season showed our determination to get back to the front of the grid.”
Lando Norris Commits to McLaren Future
“The work that Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, and the whole team have done over the past year has been incredible, and I am confident in fighting for victories with McLaren. I’m thrilled to create more amazing memories and continue working hard with everyone at the factory over the next few years.”
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, adds: “I’m thrilled that we are continuing our relationship with Lando for several more years. It’s been an incredible journey over the past six years, and he has shown fantastic commitment and desire to move the team forward and bring McLaren back to the front of the grid.”
“Last season, we saw the fundamental role Lando played in the impressive turnaround of our results, and I’m looking forward to building on this momentum with many more podiums.”
“I’m pleased to confirm the extension of our partnership with Lando on a multi-year contract beyond 2025,” concludes Andrea Stella, McLaren F1 Team Principal.
“This reflects the commitment and trust we share, with our common ambition to win championships again in the future.”
“Lando has grown as a driver and as a person since joining McLaren in 2017. He impressed last season, playing a key role in our progress throughout the year, securing seven podiums and many fantastic results.”
Norris and Piastri: McLaren’s Future
“Alongside Oscar Piastri, our exciting driver duo will play a crucial role in our goal to move towards the front of the grid. They impressed in their first season together, and I’m eager to continue the hard work with both of them in this thrilling adventure.”
Why Extend Norris’ Contract Amid Red Bull Rumors?
It’s precisely to prevent speculation about his future from becoming a distraction that he claims to have signed, as McLaren potentially enters a period where it can compete for victories and championships in Formula 1. He was therefore eager to settle his future despite interest from other teams for his services.
“It’s true, but also because I want it,” says Norris about his decision to extend his contract with McLaren.
“I’m in a good position. It’s not something I want to worry about for the next few years. There have always been these discussions about our future, and I think it’s a very good time, especially when we have to wait a few years when things start to get a bit crazier with the contracts of all the others and drivers who might change teams and things like that.”
“And approaching 2026, and those years of new regulations, it’s not something that me or the team want to think about, focus on, or spend time on during these two important years. Yeah – simply because I want it. I’m comfortable, I’m happy where I am, the team is happy with me so it’s an easy decision.”
Norris Rejects Rivals for McLaren
Norris admits there were preliminary discussions with other teams, but nothing compelled him to explore them further, as he wants to succeed with McLaren.
“Every driver talks to every team. And it’s not about just settling contracts, it’s about what one team can offer you and what another team can offer you and things like that. It’s the same for every driver: what could we possibly do together one day, but it doesn’t progress more than that, basically.”
“We stopped that phase quite quickly, and of course, you start to get some of those speculations, then you have internal discussions with Andrea and Zak – with anyone at McLaren – then you start talking about your own business and you want to quash some of those rumors, because it’s not a good thing for the team to keep suffering them day after day.”
“That’s why we made a decision so early and so quickly. Hopefully, this settles all those questions well.”
Norris also explained that showing his confidence in McLaren was important for the entire staff.
“I’m sure when you work here and you have one of your drivers and you see him associated with other teams in rumors, it’s probably never an easy thing to see.”
Norris Affirms Commitment to McLaren
“So I think from my side, giving everyone here at McLaren a bit more confidence in me, it shows my confidence in the entire team. I think that’s really the most important thing.”
“That’s what I’m happiest about after signing this contract. They are now even more assured that I am committed to the team and that I am staying, and that I chose McLaren instead of Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, or whatever team it could have been.”
“They now have the assurance that I chose McLaren over all of them. So I think it’s more for them than for me, even though I like to see the rumors and plots from time to time. It’s fun but it shouldn’t last!”
Norris McLaren Multi-Year Contract. Norris McLaren Multi-Year Contract
