WOKING.- The pilot of McLaren, Lando Norrissigned a multi-year contract extension with his Formula 1 team on Friday.
The current contract of the 24-year-old British driver ended in 2025. The new agreement ensures that the exciting duo with his teammate Oscar Piastri will continue for several more seasons. McLaren did not announce how long the new deal is for.
“It’s a great feeling to stay,” Norris warned. “I have grown up next to McLaren and I feel at home, the team is like a family to me.”
Norris joined McLaren as a youth driver in 2017 and became a test driver the following year. He debuted in Formula 1 in 2019 and has 13 podiums. He became the third-youngest driver to reach the podium in F1 history, when he placed third at the Australian Grand Prix in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Norris took his first pole position last season at the Brazilian GP and finished second six times in a consistent campaign that saw McLaren rise to fourth in the constructors’ championship after failing to score points in five of its first five. careers.
“The journey so far has been exciting, we have had ups and downs, but last season demonstrated our desire to compete at the front of the grid again,” Norris added. “The work of (CEO) Zak (Brown) and the entire team over the last year has been incredible and I am confident that we will fight for victories.”
Norris finished sixth in the drivers’ championship, one point behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who renewed his contract on Thursday.
Brown paid tribute to Norris:
“He has shown great commitment and desire to move forward,” Brown said. “Last season we saw Lando’s fundamental work to bring about a radical change in the results and I hope we continue to push together with many more podiums.”
Pre-season testing begins on February 21 in Bahrain, which will host the first of 24 races, a record for F1, starting on March 2.
Red Bull star Max Verstappen is going for his fourth consecutive title.
FOUNTAIN: AP
