By Joel Roberts
Lando Norris has signed a new contract to keep him at McLaren Formula 1 team until 2025.
The Briton has now the longest contract on the F1 grid after a fantastic third season in the sport in 2021, which included his first pole position and four podium finishes.
McLaren want to keep the British driver at the team for the foreseeable future, and to try and get the team back to winning ways and competing for championships.
Norris, 22, outperformed his teammate Daniel Ricciardo in 2021 and McLaren were the only team to score a 1-2 finish, coming in Monza with Norris coming runner up.
He is still in the hunt for his first win after he came agonisingly close to a win in Russia. However, a late downpour of rain and a decision to stay out on slick tyres instead of switching to intermediates was his downfall as Lewis Hamilton raced by to claim his 100th career win.
The new regulations coming in this year will aim to level out the playing field so McLaren and Norris could be in contention for regular race wins.
Norris told Sky Sports: “I have grown up in this team and I’m part of this journey we’re all on.
“Big thanks to Andreas [Seidl], Zak [Brown] and all of McLaren for having this faith in me. Of course, it also shows the faith I have in McLaren and what they will be able to achieve in the next few years.
“We know it’s not going to be quick; we’re learning and there’s still things we need to improve on to have the ability to fight for wins and championships, but I know that’s coming up.”
Norris has admitted that other teams were interested in recruiting him but he believes that McLaren is the best suited for him, as a driver, as a person and in the longer term.
McLaren unveil their new car on 11th February as they get ready for the new F1 season that starts in Bahrain on the weekend of the 18th March.