Lando Norris has revealed he had opportunities to leave McLaren before signing a new contract with the team, but the reigning world champion believes staying with the Woking outfit gives him the best chance of achieving his ambitions.
Norris has committed his future to McLaren until at least the end of 2030, extending a relationship that began when he joined the team’s junior programme in 2017.
The 26-year-old has now admitted that other options were available before he agreed to the new deal, adding an intriguing layer to his decision to remain with the team.
Norris admits there were other opportunities
Norris confirmed that there was interest from elsewhere before he signed his new McLaren contract.
However, the Briton insisted that he was never simply looking for the quickest route to success, explaining that he would rather endure difficult periods with a team he believes in than immediately move elsewhere.
Norris stated in an interview with Sky Sports: “There was opportunity of course. But opportunity that is positive. There’s opportunities to gamble at times.
“I’m a driver that personally I would take one or two tougher years over instant success – as I did a few years ago with McLaren.
“As much as I want to win every single year, not everything is about I need to be with a team tomorrow that’s going to win the next race and do this and do that.”
McLaren feels like home
Norris has been with McLaren since 2019, joining the team when it was still fighting to establish itself as a consistent midfield force.
Since then, the Briton has experienced the team’s remarkable transformation into a championship-winning outfit, making his decision to remain with McLaren all the more significant.
However, Norris insists his loyalty is not solely driven by the team’s on-track potential.
He explained that his happiness within the team and the relationships he has built at McLaren were just as important when deciding whether to continue his career in Woking.
Norris added: “A good amount of it is also am I just happy? I was happy to be with McLaren even when we weren’t winning because I’m still in an amazing opportunity and I still get to do the job I love and travel and do all these things.
“So not everything to me is about ultimate performance. A lot of it and a big part of it is the people that I’m with.
“Just the fact I feel I’m at home and I’m enjoying it. And that almost has enough control as saying ‘I need to be with a team that is going to be performing and winning championships’.”
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Ferrari remains an intriguing opportunity
Despite committing himself to McLaren, Norris was also asked whether he could ever see himself racing for Ferrari.
The McLaren driver admitted that, as a child, he imagined what it would be like to drive for different teams, including Ferrari and Mercedes.
However, he made it clear that moving elsewhere is not something occupying his thoughts at present.
The McLaren driver said: “That’s not something I want to think about for now. Since I was a kid, you always think of yourself in different positions.
“My dream was always to be with McLaren. That’s why I feel like I’m in a very fortunate position as I am.
“But you always want to experience the other side of things, whether that is Ferrari or other teams and Mercedes.”
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Life beyond McLaren?
Norris’ comments are particularly interesting given Ferrari’s place in Formula 1 history and the fact that Lewis Hamilton made the move from Mercedes to the Scuderia after spending six seasons with McLaren earlier in his career.
He acknowledged that team significance in the sport plays a role in his curiosity, mentioning: “Also, the history of other teams.
“The fact Lewis also went to Mercedes from McLaren and then to Ferrari, I think it’s also pretty cool that you try different things and you experience different stuff.
“It depends a little bit on what you want to achieve in your career.
“Do you want ultimate success every single year? Do you want to just experience what it’s like to go to a different team and experience Ferrari or Mercedes?
“For now, I’ll say I’m not thinking of it. But ask me again at the end of 2030.”
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Michael Davey