27 January 2024 , 08:00
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Lando Norris declared Oscar Piastri "already is" a more challenging team-mate than his predecessor Daniel Ricciardo.
Norris signed a new contract with McLaren on Friday. Described as a "multi-year" deal, but with no length specified in public, it means the Woking-based team's driver line-up is set until at least 2026.
That's because team-mate Piastri also has a long-term deal of his own. That was signed last year, midway through the Aussie's sensational debut Formula 1 season which saw him podium twice and win a Sprint race.
The team looks well-placed to enjoy more success in the coming years with two of the youngest and most talented drivers in F1 tied down to multi-year deals. It vindicates the team's decision to axe Ricciardo a year earlier than planned as the former Red Bull racer struggled to perform in 2022.
Speaking after confirmation of his new contract, Norris spoke of how he is being pushed by Piastri. Asked by Sky Sports if the 22-year-old is a tougher team-mate than his predecessor, the Briton replied: "[He] already is. He gave me a good challenge last year. I think we work together really well. I think he's an extremely talented driver, he's a very hard worker so I enjoyed it.
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"It was nice to have that bit more of a push. As much as you hate it, you also like and welcome it because I want to make sure I'm in the best position for, when I am fighting for a championship, that I am ready on all accounts and when you have a driver and team-mate that can push you that little bit more, it's only going to make you even more ready.
"That's what I had last year. He helped the team massively and I think we worked together very well because we have the same target. We want to be champions and we want to win races and we're not going to do that by hating on one another and not getting along.
"Times always change when you start fighting for race wins but he gave the team a good help and that's what we needed. I look forward to more of our battles and working together for longer."
By signing his new contract, Norris signalled his belief that he can achieve his lofty ambitions with his current employer. "McLaren is the team that I want to [win the championship] with - they're the ones who brought me into Formula 1 and gave me this opportunity," he said.
"So, in some ways, I feel like I owe it to them and I'm just very much part of the family and very much enjoying where I am. I don't want to join a different team and not enjoy it. I'm excited to be part of that family, especially on the trajectory that we're on."