Lando Norris has signed a new contract extension with McLaren that will see him in Formula 1 racing well beyond the 2026 regulations change.
Lando Norris put an end to current speculation about joining Red Bull by committing to stay with McLaren beyond the 2025 Formula 1 season by signing a multi-year contract extension.
The announcement that Lando Norris and McLaren will retain their partnership in Formula 1 through 2026 came a day after it was made official that Charles Leclerc has pledged his loyalty to Ferrari.
Norris’ future with McLaren has been the focus of much speculation in recent months as his exceptional performances in papaya sparked attention from Red Bull and Ferrari among others. However, after signing a new multi-year contract extension deal with the Woking-based outfit, the British star put an end to those rumors—at least for the time being.
Norris’ contract with McLaren was slated to run its course up to the end of 2025 after signing in 2022, making McLaren highly vulnerable to a rival team snatching up their highly coveted driver.
Also given McLaren’s dismal performance in 2022 and beginning of 2023, there were considerable doubts about Norris’ desire to fulfill his commitment and certainly agree to a new contract.
Therefore, the Woking-based team needed to act quickly in order to secure Norris’ services past the end of the upcoming season and thwart any possible attempts to snatch him.
However, the terms of the new contract extension have not been revealed, although it is projected to be at least two years long with the possibility of further extensions.
“It’s a great feeling to be staying in papaya,” Norris said in a McLaren press release. “I’ve grown up with McLaren and feel at home here, the team are like family to me.
“The journey so far has been exciting, we’ve had ups and downs, but last season showed our desire to get back to competing at the front of the grid.
“The work Zak [Brown], Andrea [Stella] and the whole team have put in over the last year has been incredible and I’m confident in challenging for wins with McLaren.
“I’m excited to create more amazing memories and continue working hard with everyone at MTC [McLaren Technology Centre] for the next few years.”
The British driver graduated to Formula 1 in 2019 after joining the team in 2017. Since then, he has become the team’s lead driver, accumulating 663 career points, 13 podiums and one pole position in 104 race starts.
This profound investment in Norris demonstrates McLaren’s faith in his capacity to guide the team to championship success in the years to come. It also demonstrates the 24-year-old’s faith in the future potential of team Papaya.
“I’m delighted that we’re continuing our relationship with Lando for multiple years to come,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said. “It’s been a fantastic journey over the last six years, and he has shown fantastic commitment and desire to push the team forward and get McLaren back to the front of the grid.
“Last season we saw the fundamental role Lando played with the impressive turnaround in results and I’m looking forward to continuing this push forward together with lots more podiums.”
Norris will be racing alongside teammate Oscar Piastri until the end of 2026 as they jointly make up one of the most talented lineups in Formula 1, as McLaren team principal Andrea Stella pointed out.
“This reflects the commitment and confidence we have together, with our shared ambition to ultimately win championships again in the future,” said the Italian.
“Lando has grown as a driver and a person since initially joining McLaren in 2017. He impressed last season, playing an important role in our progress throughout the year, securing seven podiums with many fantastic drives.
“Alongside Oscar, our exciting driver pairing will play an instrumental part in our objective to move towards the front of the grid.
“They have impressed in their first season together and I’m looking forward to continuing the hard work with them both on this exciting journey.”
