Norris's Decision To Extend Contract With McLaren Questioned By F1 Expert Palmer

Ex-Renault driver and expert F1 analyst Jolyon Palmer evaluated Lando Norris's decision to extend his contract with McLaren.

Lando Norris keeps proving he is one of the best drivers on the grid who could fight for the championship if he sits in a competitive car.

The question is, will he get a championship-contending car at McLaren? The 24-year-old driver has been with the team since the start of his F1 career in 2019.

McLaren has been a midfield team for most of the first four years but made progress toward the front in 2023 and continues to close the gap to Championship-leading Red Bull in 2024 as well.

Norris's last contract was supposed to expire at the end of 2025, but McLaren CEO Zak Brown was able to convince him to sign a "multi-year" extension.

Read also

Horner Bears 'Sole Responsibility' For Red Bull's Breakdown And Newey's Exit Says Schumacher

This means he should now stay with the British team, at least until the end of 2027. Jolyon Palmer wrote in his column for the official F1 website:

All the teams on the grid are aware of the Briton's qualities. Red Bull, for example, already expressed a potential interest in Norris.

It seemed like Christian Horner was willing to make some space for Norris in the team from Milton Keynes. However, Norris opted for McLaren's extension, and Palmer suggests the "Max Verstappen" factor might have influenced his decision.

Read also

Move That 'Makes More Sense' For Sainz Identified By Piquet Jr