Lando Norris explains the choice he made with McLaren, opening the way out

Lando Norris is one of the few drivers on the grid who knows where he will be driving in the coming years. Still under contract until the 2025 season, he decided to sign a multi-year deal with McLaren to secure their future together in the off-season.

Nothing too surprising, considering the expectations of the British brand, and the results on the track at the end of 2023. But if we look back a little, the team had a difficult situation during the first doctors which was part of the worst on the grid, before getting up. There is no doubting the number 4 driver who already knew that his team would return to the front row, and who had no other goals in mind than to improve his car.

“It wasn’t something I needed to think about, because I still had a contract until 2025. So I wasn’t in a rush to do anything. And I knew a little bit ahead, what was coming and the potential improvements. That’s when things started to look a little better. I knew the potential was there , and that was the best I’ve ever had. But it wasn’t like, “Okay, I have a plan for if things go well, and a plan for if things go wrong.” his (departure).”

The British driver however admits that it was the change at the end of the year that strengthened his choice to extend his contract, and therefore continue in the project he has been involved in since his arrival in Formula 1 during the 2019 season.

“I wasn’t in a hurry to do anything. But we got back on the right track and it was a success. We’re in a good direction, a trend that continues, and that’s what motivated me to stay longer.”

LANDO 🤝 McLaren.

We are pleased to announce the renewal of a multi-year contract with @LandoNorris. 🙌

– McLaren (@McLarenF1) January 26, 2024

Become a McLaren driver for life? Yes but…

Does the 24-year-old driver want to stay with the orange team for the rest of his career? When asked about this issue, he revealed himself to be torn by taking the example of the choice of Hamilton, who left Mercedes to go behind the wheel of Ferrari.

“(Staying at McLaren) I thought about it. I can never say no, I think it’s always a good prospect. But I would also say that the transfer of Lewis (Hamilton, from Mercedes to Ferrari, Editor’s note) is good. That’s all I would say. And I respect that .I think it was a good move to do. It doesn’t mean that’s what I want to do, I’m not saying I want to go to Ferrari now, I’m just saying there are some options that are good to do.

It must be said that above all he maintains the desire to win in F1, he who already has 108 GPs, 14 Podiums and who is entering his seventh season. The Woking team are keen to stay competitive if they want to keep Lando…

“I’m in Formula 1 because I love racing, for no other reason. I started because I loved it when I was six, seven years old, not knowing anything about what would happen later. So it’s still for the same reason now, I do it because I love it. There’s just all the perks that come with it. So for me the priority is always to enjoy and do what I want to do, and other things are just perks along the way. But I think it’s a great story to have all the time. I love it, I love my team, I love the people I work with, I’m happy, and if that happens all the time… But there’s this second part of me that’s also very competitive, that wants to win. And finding the one that dominates is time Sometimes I tell myself I just want to enjoy and have fun, sometimes I want to win the race now.”

Read also:

Join in Moto-Moto on WhatsApp so you don’t miss any car and 2 wheeler news!