26 January 2024 , 16:00
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Lando Norris has turned down the chance to join F1 champions Red Bull by agreeing fresh terms with McLaren.
The Brit already had a contract that ran until December 2025. But he was a target for Red Bull who are considering their options to replace Sergio Perez at the end of the coming season.
Norris harbours title ambitions and the chance to go toe-to-toe with Max Verstappen will have been tempting. Not enough to cause his loyalty to McLaren to waver, though, as the 24-year-old has agreed to an extension and will continue to race for the Woking-based squad in 2026 and beyond.
The 24-year-old said: "It's a great feeling to be staying in papaya. I've grown up with McLaren and feel at home here, the team are like family to me. The journey so far has been exciting, we've had ups and downs, but last season showed our desire to get back to competing at the front of the grid.
"The work Zak, Andrea and the whole team have put in over the last year has been incredible and I'm confident in challenging for wins with McLaren. I'm excited to create more amazing memories and continue working hard with everyone at MTC for the next few years."
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It means McLaren can boast of a young and exciting driver line-up featuring Norris and fellow starlet Oscar Piastri for at least the next three years. The Aussie signed a contract extension himself last year, committing his future to the team until the end of 2026.
Team principal Andrea Stella said: "Lando has grown as a driver and a person since initially joining McLaren in 2017. He impressed last season, playing an important role in our progress throughout the year, securing seven podiums with many fantastic drives.
"Alongside Oscar, our exciting driver pairing will play an instrumental part in our objective to move towards the front of the grid. They have impressed in their first season together and I'm looking forward to continuing the hard work with them both on this exciting journey."
The news will come as a blow to Red Bull. Team principal Christian Horner has a long-held admiration for Norris and has, on more than once occasion in the past, tried to convince the Brit to join him. With Sergio Perez out of contract at the end of this year, Norris would have been a major target.
By signing a new McLaren deal, though, the 24-year-old has effectively told Horner that he is not interested in such a switch. If Red Bull do decide to replace Perez, they will need to look elsewhere.