Norris, 22, only agreed a new multi-year contract with McLaren last May, but has been rewarded for his fine form through 2021 with a deal covering the next four seasons.
“I’m extremely happy, it’s a big part of my career and life ticked off, and to stay in Formula 1 for another four years is pretty amazing from my side,” Norris said.
“I’m super happy to do it with McLaren as well, the people I’ve grown up with, the people I’ve come into Formula 1 with.
“More than anything I would love to continue what we have and continue trying to reach that dream of ours, which is to get back to winning races and of course to get back to winning championships and so on.”
Norris made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2019, but enjoyed his most successful season to date in 2021 as he scored four podium finishes and his first pole position in the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom.
Norris came close to winning the race in Russia, only for a late rain shower and a strategy miscue to cause him to drop down the order in the closing laps after dominating proceedings.
He ended the year sixth in the drivers’ championship and led McLaren’s efforts across the course of the year, outscoring new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo by 45 points.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M Mule
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Ricciardo has a contract running to the end of the 2023 season, meaning McLaren’s driver line-up will be unchanged for the next two seasons.
Team principal Andreas Seidl explained that signing Norris to a long-term deal was part of a push for stability to aid McLaren’s ambitious targets for the future, having ended its nine-year win drought in 2021.
“We strongly believe in the talent of Lando, believing that he can definitely be a key element of achieving these targets that we are having,” Seidl said.
“Consistency and continuity on the driver side is the key to success as well, especially if you have the right guys in your car already.
“So therefore, Zak [Brown] and myself engaged recently with Lando, had some good discussions talking about the commitment also we have been in together for several years from both sides, and therefore we’re very happy that we put in place a new four-year contract with Lando.”
Norris acknowledged it did feel “a little bit weird” to sign two contracts in the space of nine months, but he felt the longer-term deal would help bring out the best in him on-track.
“It wouldn’t have brought me anywhere near to ’25,” Norris said of his previous deal. “But this is more for the solidarity in the team and for the confidence in both of us, and just really for the confidence in both of us for the long-term.
“I see that as a benefit, one for myself to have this longer contract, and stay here for a while, and one for the team.”
Lando Norris, McLaren, 2nd position, celebrates on the podium
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Norris was one of the stand-out performers in F1 last year, but will now not be in contention for a seat with any rival teams for the next four years despite the chance of openings coming up.
“I think there were opportunities that I think we knew would be coming up in the future with various teams,” Norris said.
“This is a very strong message to put out across to everyone, the faith we have in each other, and how strongly I believe that McLaren can recover still and get back to the front in the next few years, even with the opportunities that could arise in the next few years.”
Seidl also revealed that both he and McLaren Racing CEO Brown have also agreed new deals to cover the same long-term period, acting as further stability for the British team.
“Zak, myself, and my entire leadership team is also committed to the team for the long-term,” Seidl said.
“Together with the great team we have in place with all the great talents we have here in place, it’s also a very important sign of belief and confidence that we can get back to the front in Formula 1.”
Keyword: Norris signs new McLaren F1 contract until end of 2025