The Briton renewed his relationship with the Woking squad twice in fast succession. He agreed one contract extension in Might 2021 earlier than inking one other on revised phrases in February of final yr.
Provisionally, which means he’ll stay with McLaren – which completed fifth behind Alpine within the constructors’ championship final season – till the tip of 2025.
However Purple Bull staff boss Christian Horner revealed in November that he had sat down for preliminary talks with Norris instantly earlier than the 23-year-old dedicated his future to the papaya outfit.
He mentioned: “We’ve spoken to Lando a few instances through the years. However each time we’ve had a dialog, the subsequent day he’s signed a contract with McLaren.”
Nonetheless, 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix podium finisher Norris says these preliminary discussions are par for the course for drivers.
He additionally hinted at holding talks with a number of groups earlier than deciding to stay at “most suitable choice” McLaren to finish hypothesis over his future.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL36
Picture by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
In an unique interview with Motorsport.com, Norris mentioned: “To start with, the talks which I mentioned I had with Purple Bull are a basic factor.
“Each driver is making an attempt to speak to each staff. Not at all times, although. That is why I signed such a protracted contract, so I need not care about any of this for some time.
“However everytime you’re coming to the tip of a contract, you at all times wish to have talks with as many individuals as you’ll be able to to weigh up your choices and know what may be a greater path for you.
“So, it wasn’t solely with Purple Bull. It was totally different talks with totally different folks. ‘What might occur now? What might possibly occur sooner or later?’ Everybody has these talks.
“Everybody in direction of the tip of each contract does that. It is a reality. However I signed a protracted contract as a result of I did not wish to consider these issues.”
By extension, Norris expects to carry comparable talks with staff bosses when his present McLaren deal is arising for renewal.
In any other case, he doesn’t wish to have to repeatedly weigh up his future till “the time comes”.
He continued: “I knew that if there wasn’t something on the market which was tempting sufficient to go and do, particularly for me and the place I’m in my profession on the minute with my age, McLaren was by far the most suitable choice for me to go and do.
“I am positive in a couple of years, it would come up once more once I’m coming to the tip of my contract. However for now, I am very pleased and I do not want to think about any of these issues.
“I solely consider them when the time comes.”
