New Delhi, September 3: Formula 1 champion Lando Norris has disclosed that he received multiple offers before extending his contract with McLaren, the “Papaya Team.” Under this new agreement, the British driver will race for McLaren until the end of 2030.
Norris, who recently won races in Hungary and the Netherlands, renewed his contract with McLaren ahead of the Italian GP. He described the team as his home and expressed his happiness with the extension. The British driver revealed that he had other opportunities before committing to the Woking-based team. According to ‘Sky Sports’, he stated, “Of course, there were opportunities. However, some good opportunities can sometimes be risky.”
He further explained, “I am the kind of driver who prefers to spend a couple of tough years rather than seeking immediate success—just like I did with McLaren a few years ago. While I want to win every year, it’s not all about being with a team that wins the next race.”
Norris emphasized his loyalty to the “Papaya Team,” even during less successful times. He praised his colleagues, including boss Zak Brown and Andrea Stella. “A big part of it is whether I am happy. I was still happy with McLaren when we weren’t winning because I had a fantastic opportunity and was doing what I love, along with traveling and other experiences. For me, it’s not just about top performance; it’s also about the people I work with. It’s the feeling that I am at home and enjoying it.”
When asked if he might drive for teams like Ferrari or Mercedes in the future, similar to Lewis Hamilton’s career trajectory, Norris did not completely dismiss the possibility. However, he stated that his focus is currently on his work and team. He made it clear that he is not contemplating moving to other teams right now, concentrating instead on improving his performance and achieving success with McLaren.
He remarked, “This is not something I want to think about right now. Since childhood, you always envision yourself in different situations. My dream has always been to stay with McLaren. That’s why I feel I am in a great position now. However, you always want to experience the other side, whether it’s Ferrari or Mercedes. It’s human nature. You want to know what it feels like in those situations and the history of other teams. The fact that Lewis moved from McLaren to Mercedes and then Ferrari is also fascinating; trying different things and gaining diverse experiences is valuable.”
Norris added, “It somewhat depends on what you want to achieve in your career. Do you want big success every year? Or do you just want to experience what it feels like to switch teams and drive for Ferrari or Mercedes? For now, I would say I’m not thinking about it. But ask me again at the end of 2030.”
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