McLaren ties Lando Norris until beyond 2030

In the Formula 1 World Championship, the leading drivers cash in at the expense of their teams’ fear of losing them or having them poached. Until recently, it was not common for a driver with a contract more than two years away from expiring to renew before reaching the final season. However, lately, the opposite has been happening, and teams are scrambling to tie down their stars with agreements more akin to the world of football than racing. A couple of months ago, Ferrari made it official that Charles Leclerc would continue wearing red beyond 2028, while ten days ago Red Bull abruptly ended all speculation about a possible early retirement of Max Verstappen, announcing that the Dutchman will remain in the Red Bull racing suit at least until 2030.

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With Kimi Antonelli secured at Mercedes, who should soon announce the Italian’s continuation, this Saturday it was McLaren who announced the extension of the agreement with Lando Norris, the current world champion, until at least after the 2030 championship ends. This represents a four-year extension over the previous contract, which expired in 2027. If he fulfills the terms of this new alliance, Norris will have completed up to 12 seasons with the Woking team, which debuted him in 2019 and with which he has already become the driver with the most Grand Prix races (163). In addition to the title celebrated in 2025, the first for McLaren since 2008 (Lewis Hamilton), his record also includes constructors’ championships in 2024 and 2025, as well as 13 wins, 48 podiums, and 18 pole positions.

After reaching glory last year, the fight with Red Bull and a change in the design of the new car caused the papaya team not to start the World Championship in the best way, conditioned by the new regulations. However, the improvements introduced in the MCL40 just before the summer break revitalized the prototype, with which Norris won the last two races (Hungary and the Netherlands), a momentum that has placed him fourth in the overall standings, still far (83 points) from Antonelli, the leader.

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“McLaren is my home, so I am very happy to have signed a new contract that will allow me to stay here at least until 2030,” celebrated Norris, who officially communicated the news to all McLaren staff at the Technology Centre, where an open day was held this Saturday for workers’ families. “When I started this journey, I had very clear goals I wanted to achieve: to bring McLaren back to the top and win championships. We have done that, but we want more. We want to keep winning and, as a team, we know we have the ability to achieve it,” added the 26-year-old from Somerset. “Lando has been a fundamental part of McLaren’s trajectory and successes over the last nine years, so we are delighted to continue our relationship with him at least until 2030,” declared Andrea Stella, the team principal. “He is an exceptional driver, combining extraordinary natural speed with maturity, consistency, and a strong attachment to McLaren. But above all, he is a special person, highly appreciated by all team members,” the Italian engineer concluded. With this move, and the renewal of Oscar Piastri until 2028, executed last year, the British company ensures the continuity of its current duo for another two seasons.

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