Lando Norris has committed his long-term Formula One future to McLaren after signing a multi-year deal that takes him beyond his existing contract, which was due to expire at the end of 2025.
Speculation over Norris’ future was rife last year, including links to Red Bull as a possible replacement for Sergio Perez, whose contract is due to expire at the end of this year along with those of several other drivers on the F1 grid.
Norris still had two seasons to run on the contract he signed in 2022, but has now committed his future to McLaren beyond that to include the first seasons of the sport’s next regulation cycle from 2026 onwards.
Asked why he had committed to a new deal two full seasons before his contract was due to expire, he said: “It’s not something I want to worry about over the next few years.
“There’s always been these discussions going on, on our future, and I think it’s a very good time, especially when it’ll be coming to a couple of years when things start to get a bit more crazy with everyone else’s contracts and people potentially moving teams and things like that.
“And just going into 2026, and those years of the new regulations and everything, it’s not something I or the team want to be thinking of, or focusing on, or spending any time on in such an important couple of years. Yeah, simply because I can, I’m comfortable, I’m happy with where I am, the team are happy with me so it’s an easy decision.”
As was the case with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari contract extension that was announced on Thursday, McLaren did not detail the length of the new contract with Norris.
Asked why there were so few details, McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said: “Because it’s our business. Sometimes you discuss it, sometimes you don’t.
“Last time when we discussed it, it was a bit more unusual I think typically, just as Ferrari has announced with Charles, you don’t typically give many details, so we see no reason to advertise any details of anyone’s contract.”
Talks with Red Bull
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Norris revealed that preliminary talks had taken place with Red Bull — which has reigning champion Max Verstappen contracted until the end of 2028 and Perez until the end of 2024 — but stressed that such conversations between teams and drivers is entirely normal in Formula One.
“Everyone speaks to everyone,…
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