Lando Norris has signed a new, extended contract with McLaren.
The 21-year-old Briton’s current deal was coming to an end at the end of this season and Norris said he had not considered any other options.
Norris said he based his decision to stay on the fact he enjoyed being at the team, and the way their performance had improved since he joined.
McLaren did not reveal the length of the deal, saying Norris and Daniel Ricciardo would stay “beyond 2022”.
Team-mate Ricciardo, a seven-time grand prix winner, started a three-year deal with McLaren this season.
Norris joined McLaren as simulator driver in 2017, before becoming reserve driver in 2018 and graduating to a race seat in 2019.
McLaren ended the 2018 season in sixth in the constructors’ championship, with the second slowest car on the grid.
They have improved to fourth in 2019 and then third in 2020 and are lying third behind Mercedes and Red Bull four races into the 2021 season.
Norris, who made his Formula 1 debut for McLaren in 2019, is fourth in the championship ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
He said: “We were a long way behind the midfield (three years ago) and this year we are at the front of it, if not ahead of it. That is one big confidence booster, seeing how they got their act together.
“I quite often go around the factory, checking on on everyone and seeing the progress and the work they’re doing, and it’s very reassuring and encouraging to see how hard they’re working.
“The structure we have in place looks very good and I think we are in a much better position than we were a few years ago.
“That is good for now but also hopeful for the future and encouraging. I have the confidence in them and they have the confidence in me and hopefully we can put it together and make that next step.”
Norris has emerged as one of the leading lights of the new generation of drivers who have emerged in the last three years, alongside Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Williams’ George Russell. They, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, are expected to be among the leading figures in the sport for the next decade and beyond.
McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown said: “I’m delighted with the extension of our agreement with Lando for 2022 and beyond. He’s been instrumental in our return of form here at McLaren and we’re proud of the growth he’s shown since he first started with us back in 2017.
“Lando is one of the brightest talents on the Formula 1 grid and we look forward to seeing him continue to go from strength-to-strength both on and off track.”
Team principal Andreas Seidl said the decision to retain Norris was “very straightforward”, adding: “Lando has impressed us since his rookie year with his performances, and his evolution as a driver since then has been clear to see.
“He’s an integral part of our performance recovery plan and his record so far, securing two podiums with the team over the past year, has shown he’s a formidable competitor on track.”
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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