Lando Norris has explained that he holds “no regrets” over electing to commit his Formula 1 future to McLaren prior to the news that Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes.
The speculation involved in the F1 driver market ramped up even before the season commenced with the bombshell revelation that Hamilton will move to Ferrari in 2025.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said the marque had been stung with the timing, hinting that Norris and Charles Leclerc, who renewed with Ferrari, would’ve been viable options.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown revealed that Norris had agreed terms on a new deal in advance of the announcement, but the Briton asserts that he could have postponed his decision.
However, Norris contends that he is satisfied with his choice to ensure he will remain with the Woking-based squad long-term, having been affiliated with the team since 2017.
“I’m very happy. I could have waited; I had the choice,” Norris said regarding his latest McLaren contract.
“I knew opportunities were potentially coming my way. I knew what opportunities I had at the time, last year and coming into this year and what could have happened or what is happening over the next couple of years anyway. So, no regrets from any side.”
Norris also had been touted as a potential option to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, with Helmut Marko, the Austrian outfit’s advisor, naming him as a credible candidate.
However, McLaren’s astounding revival from backmarker to consistent podium scorer last term has reinstalled Norris’ faith that the side can return to competing for wins and titles.
McLaren heads into the latest season aiming to continue the momentum from the previous campaign amid the boost of a new wind tunnel and the arrival of technical hires from Ferrari and Red Bull in the form of David Sanchez and Rob Marshall respectively.
“I’m confident in my team and confident in what we’ve been able to achieve and what we can achieve going into the future. I’m very happy with where I am,” he added.
“Of course, I could be happier if we were achieving more of the goals that I think we all want to achieve.
“But the main point is: I’m enjoying my time with the guys that I’m with. For me, that’s always a big part of my life – I want to enjoy where I am.
“I think that’s an important part of trying to improve as a team at the same time and knowing everyone and pushing everyone.
“Everyone’s capable of getting to the goal of being the top team in Formula 1. So, very happy.”
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