Hot topics close

Lando Norris signs long-term McLaren deal as he sends Mercedes and Red Bull title warning

Lando Norris signs longterm McLaren deal as he sends Mercedes and Red Bull title warning
British racing star Lando Norris declared his intention to "fight for race wins and championships" after agreeing a new long-term contract with Formula 1 employers McLaren

McLaren have received a boost ahead of their 2022 Formula 1 campaign after announcing on Wednesday that star talent Lando Norris has signed a new long-term contract.

The new deal will keep 22-year-old Norris with the Woking-based outfit until the end of 2025, an agreement he believes sends "a very strong message" regarding McLaren's title ambitions for the coming seasons.

Norris was linked as a potential successor to Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes before the F1 giants recruited George Russell from Williams.

The 2021 F1 campaign was Norris' most successful to date thus far, managing three third-place finishes and a second-place podium at the Italian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris has signed a new long-term contract with McLaren
Lando Norris has signed a new long-term contract with McLaren

"We know it is not going be quick - there are things we need to improve on to guarantee we can fight for race wins and championships," he said after the new contract was confirmed.

"But I know that's in the pipeline and it's what I'm confident of achieving."

The statement is particularly significant considering it's believed a number of desirable driving positions in F1 are due to become available in the next few seasons.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will see his Mercedes deal expire at the end of the 2023 season, although the Briton's participation this term has even been in doubt. But he now looks to have put an end to that talk.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, is contracted until the end of this year, and team-mate Charles Leclerc could move on when his own deal is due to expire in 2024.

Red Bull chief Christian Horner pays £4k for '20-person' Mercedes factory tour
undefined
Max Verstappen reignites Lewis Hamilton rivalry with 'disrespectful' Mercedes jibe
undefined

Norris confirmed there were talks held with outside teams before his decision to remain with McLaren, having first joined as a junior driver in 2017.

"There were little chats here and there but that's all," he said before explaining "nothing went far."

Last season's Italian Grand Prix ended in a McLaren one-two with Daniel Ricciardo setting the pace, the team's first F1 race victory since 2012.

Norris confirmed his new contract came complete with a pay rise and added the money side of things "always helps," though he assured it wasn't his primary motivator for extending: "My happiness comes above all and that is the most important thing."

Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2023
Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2023 ( AFP via Getty Images)

Team principal Andreas Seidl referred to the fact there is no "get-out clause" in the new deal and said: "It is an important message from our side that we can get there in these next four years.

"Our ambition is to win titles but we still have a few building blocks and ambitious targets before we can get there. But to achieve those targets you need the best drivers, the best guys in the paddock. The sport is complex and consistency is important. Especially if you have the right guys.

"We have a strong belief in the talent of Lando and we believe he will be a key element in achieving these targets we have, but at the same time it is a great sign for everyone in the team."

The 2022 season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20, where McLaren will hope for an improved start in their hunt for the title as F1 introduces a new set of rules this year.

Read More

F1 drivers set to stop taking knee prior to races despite Lewis Hamilton views
undefined

Read More

Lewis Hamilton 'returns to Mercedes HQ today' to put retirement speculation to an end
undefined
Similar news
News Archive
  • JoyCon
    Joy-Con
    European Commission starts inquiry on Nintendo Switch Joy-Con drift issues
    30 Jan 2021
    5
  • QWERTY
    QWERTY
    How did the qwerty keyboard become so popular?
    25 Apr 2019
    2
  • Dani Olmo
    Dani Olmo
    Arsenal one step away from unleashing Dani Olmo transfer as ...
    9 Jul 2024
    1
  • Kyle Rittenhouse
    Kyle Rittenhouse
    Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial live updates: US teenager acquitted of all charges over Kenosha shooting
    19 Nov 2021
    21
  • SAFHolland
    SAF-Holland
    Earnings Update: SAF-Holland SE (ETR:SFQ) Just Reported Its First-Quarter Results And Analysts Are Updating Their Forecasts
    12 May 2024
    1
  • Trevor Hemmings
    Trevor Hemmings
    Trevor Hemmings: from working-class Lancashire lad to billionaire tycoon
    12 Oct 2021
    1