Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Lando Norris has hinted that he could have left McLaren before signing a new deal with his lifelong team until 2030.
The reigning champion also didn’t distance himself from a future Ferrari switch when that contract expires.
Norris and McLaren announced the extension on August 29 in a deal that will keep him with the British squad for over a decade.
It came just days after Max Verstappen also committed himself to Red Bull for a similar length of time, locking down two of the most coveted seats on the grid.
For Verstappen, it appeared as though there was no space elsewhere, despite previous talks with Mercedes and McLaren.
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But for Norris, he revealed there was a chance to leave the Woking-based squad.
Norris reveals opportunities to leave McLaren
"There was opportunity of course. But opportunity that is positive. There's opportunities to gamble at times," he told Martin Brundle.
"I'm a driver that personally I would take one or two tougher years over instant success - as I did a few years ago with McLaren.
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"As much as I want to win every single year, not everything is about I need to be with a team tomorrow that's going to win the next race and do this and do that."
Norris' trust in McLarn is paying off again as they return to winning ways (Photo: Race Pictures)
Lando Norris explains why he chose to stay
Further explaining his decision, Norris added: "A good amount of it is also, am I just happy? I was happy to be with McLaren even when we weren't winning because I'm still in an amazing opportunity and I still get to do the job I love and travel and do all these things. So not everything to me is about ultimate performance. A lot of it, and a big part of it, is the people that I'm with.
"Just the fact that I feel I'm at home and I'm enjoying it. And that almost has enough control as saying 'I need to be with a team that is going to be performing and winning championships'."
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Despite Norris’ delight at staying with his boyhood team, he did get asked the inevitable.
As Sebastian Vettel once said: “Everyone is a Ferrari fan.” Even Norris?
Norris refuses to close door on future Ferrari move
The McLaren driver added: "That's not something I want to think about for now. Since I was a kid, you always think of yourself in different positions.
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"My dream was always to be with McLaren. That's why I feel like I'm in a very fortunate position as I am. But you always want to experience the other side of things, whether that is Ferrari or other teams and Mercedes.
"It's just human. I think that you want to experience what it's like to be in this position and that position.”
He finished: "The fact Lewis [Hamilton] also went to Mercedes from McLaren and then to Ferrari, I think it's also pretty cool that you try different things and you experience different stuff.
"It depends a little bit on what you want to achieve in your career. Do you want ultimate success every single year? Do you want to just experience what it's like to go to a different team and experience Ferrari or Mercedes?
"For now, I'll say I'm not thinking of it. But ask me again at the end of 2030."
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Italian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
10:30 AM
Practice 2
02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
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02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
Fri 10:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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