Lando Norris fast tracked his re-engagement agreement with McLaren Formula 1 team to finally sign the new deal. He claims that it “shut down” any offers from other teams, like Red Bull and Ferrari.
The British driver just announced a new deal with McLaren beyond 2026 season without mentioning true length of contract. His last deal would have completed at the end of 2025.
Norris had performed very well during the last season, catching the eyes of rival teams. Reportedly, he received serious interest from several teams including Red Bull and Ferrari.
The Brit did not deny the talks with other teams but he believes his true potential career lies with McLaren F1 team.
“Everyone speaks to everyone and every driver speaks to every team,” he said on Friday after announcing his new McLaren deal.
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“It’s not in terms of just sorting contracts. It’s what can one team offer you, and what can another team offer you, and things like that.
He added: “It’s the same with every driver. Everyone speaks to every team on what could we potentially do one day. But nothing ever progressed more than that, basically.
“So yeah, it was shut down quite quickly.
“And, of course, as soon as you do start to get some of these questions, and I see a lot of it, then you have talks internally with Andrea [Stella] and Zak [Brown] and whoever it is here at McLaren.
“Then you start talking about your own stuff. You do want to put some of these rumours to bed, because it’s not a good question at the team.”
The timing of Norris decision is interesting and raises a question of his decision merits. Because the driver could have seen McLaren’s abilities to have a clear image.
He explained: “Because I can, because I’m in a good position. It’s not something that I want to really worry about over the next few years.
“Obviously, there’s always been these discussions going on [regarding] our future.
“I think it’s just a very, very good time, especially when it’s going to be coming to a couple of years where things start to get a bit more crazy with everyone else’s contracts, and people potentially moving teams and things like that.
“Going into ’26, and those years of new regulations, that’s not something I think I or the team want to be thinking of, or focusing on, or spending any time on in such an important couple years.
“I’m comfortable, I’m happy with where I am, and the team are happy with me. So it’s just an easy decision.”
