Norris acknowledges having 'other interests' prior to the extended McLaren contract.
Lando Norris stated that deciding to commit his future to McLaren until at least 2030 was a straightforward choice, even with interest from other teams and the substantial salaries being discussed among Formula 1's top drivers.
The new contract for the reigning world champion is said to be worth approximately $40 million per year, with a possibility of extending beyond 2030. However, Norris claims that the figures being reported are inflated.
"Unfortunately, it’s certainly not close to the amounts I've seen online," he remarked. "Naturally, any job usually comes with a bit more when you extend."
He clarified that his earnings do not approach the levels of Lewis or Max, asserting that’s appropriate given he has not yet achieved as much in his career.
Nonetheless, Norris feels that his current abilities place him among the elite in Formula 1. "I believe I should be up there, as I think I can compete with them whenever needed and perform better when it matters," said the 26-year-old, who has recently won two consecutive grand prix races. "So I guess I hold two perspectives on this matter."
He also acknowledged having received "other interest" prior to signing but maintained that leaving McLaren didn’t attract him. "It truly was the easiest decision I've had to make in my career so far," Norris expressed. "I’ll be very happy at the end of my career to say McLaren is the only team I've raced for."
Ralf Schumacher believes Norris’ recent performances illustrate why McLaren was eager to secure him for the long term. "Norris is now the team leader, you just have to recognize that," he said of Norris, who drives alongside Oscar Piastri.
"He (Norris) made a lot of mistakes in the past, but he has moved past that," Schumacher commented. He now regards Norris as "one of the best drivers in Formula 1 at the moment," while also highlighting the difference with his teammate Piastri. "Norris is really at the top. Piastri is currently having a tough time," noted the German. "He’s struggling right now."
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Norris acknowledges having 'other interests' prior to the extended McLaren contract.
Formula 1 | Lando Norris stated that dedicating his future to McLaren until at least 2030 was a straightforward choice, even with interest from other teams and the significant (…)