Norris agrees major contract extension to stay at McLaren until 2025

McLaren have locked down one of Formula 1’s most impressive young talents by handing Lando Norris a huge contract extension that keeps the Briton at the team until the end of 2025.

The 22-year-old had a stellar 2021 campaign, scoring four podiums, his first pole position and coming agonisingly close to his maiden victory in Russia on his way to a career-best sixth in the drivers’ standings.

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Norris signed a long-term deal on the eve of last year’s Monaco Grand Prix that would keep him at McLaren for 2022 and beyond, but after another strong year together, both parties moved to lengthen that arrangement with a new four-year agreement, starting this year.

“The opportunity to extend our relationship with Lando reflects not only our commitment but our belief and confidence in his talent,” said McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl. “It is also a strong sign of trust and commitment from Lando in us as a team and our journey to World Championship contention.

“Lando has shown impressive growth as a Formula 1 driver over the past four years and has been an instrumental part of the team’s momentum and performance trajectory,” Seidl added. “We are still on our journey to fight at the front and Lando is a key element of our plan, so to lock him into place, alongside Daniel [Ricciardo] and our senior leadership, gives us stability and continuity as we build towards our ultimate shared goal of World Championships.”

Norris, who has been part of the McLaren family since 2017, added: “Teams are about people, and I love the people and feel at home at McLaren. I have grown up in this team and I’m part of this journey we’re all on.

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“Last season was another great step, both in my career and the team’s performance, and I see and feel all the work, investment and commitment for the team to be in a position to challenge for wins and titles in the future. This all gives me huge confidence looking forward, so it was a natural decision to extend our relationship for the next few years.”

Norris will join team mate Ricciardo, whose three-year deal expires at the end of 2023, on Friday at McLaren’s HQ in Woking to pull off the covers and reveal the British team’s 2022 machine – the MCL36.