Lando Norris chose McLaren over Ferrari and other top teams, reaping championship rewards
Since joining McLaren in 2019, Lando Norris has signed four contract extensions, demonstrating a remarkable level of commitment to the Woking-based team. While remaining with McLaren is now an obvious decision, earlier in his career it required significant faith in the team’s long-term vision.
McLaren were so impressed with Lando Norris’ performances as a rookie that they offered him a contract extension midway through his debut season. He renewed again in the spring of 2021, after finishing sixth in the drivers’ championship and helping McLaren secure fourth in the constructors’ standings. At that stage, Norris’ first three seasons had produced only five podium finishes, but the team saw his potential for future growth.
Before the 2022 season, McLaren CEO Zak Brown convinced Norris to commit to a decisive four-year contract. While some questioned the wisdom of this long-term deal—especially when McLaren struggled at the start of 2023, appearing to be the slowest team on the grid—the decision ultimately proved to be a masterstroke.
Norris’ loyalty to McLaren over Ferrari and other options
Transformative upgrades to the car in 2023 allowed Norris and McLaren to consistently compete for podium finishes, confirming to the British driver that the team was moving toward the very top of Formula 1. His most recent contract extension could potentially keep him at McLaren until the end of 2029.
Interest from other top teams has followed Norris throughout his career. Red Bull were reportedly once interested in securing his services, and Italian journalist Pino Allievi revealed that Norris was also “in the running” for a Ferrari seat. Allievi suggested that Norris may have even been considered as a replacement for Carlos Sainz when Ferrari decided to part ways with Sebastian Vettel in 2020.
Despite these opportunities, Norris remained committed to McLaren, placing trust in Zak Brown’s long-term strategy. This loyalty has been rewarded with significant success: Norris secured the world championship in 2025, and McLaren won back-to-back constructors’ titles for the first time since the early 1990s.
Allievi highlighted Norris’ commitment on the Terruzzi Racconta podcast, noting that the driver had made a bold choice by signing a long-term contract when the team was struggling in the constructors’ championship. He explained that Norris had other options on the table, including potential offers from Ferrari, but believed in the leadership of Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella. This faith ultimately paid off, as Norris enjoyed his most successful season to date.
The hypothetical Ferrari teammate scenario
The revelation about Ferrari raises an intriguing question: how would Norris have performed alongside Charles Leclerc if the British driver had joined Maranello? While Norris has now claimed the world championship, many observers feel that Ferrari may be limiting Leclerc’s potential.
Former F1 driver Christijan Albers has suggested that Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and George Russell are the current top three drivers in the sport, with Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri just outside that elite tier. Leclerc himself has indicated that the 2025 McLaren MCL39 was as competitive as the 2023 Red Bull, which famously won 22 of 23 races. This raises further speculation about the level Norris could have reached in a Ferrari car alongside Charles Leclerc.
Ultimately, Lando Norris’ decision to stay at McLaren over joining Ferrari or any other team demonstrates a calculated gamble that has now delivered both personal and team success, cementing his place as one of the standout talents of his generation.
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