Lando Norris confirms 'interest' from F1 rivals before signing bumper McLaren contract

Lando Norris has revealed there was "interest from elsewhere" on the F1 grid before committing his long-term F1 future to McLaren.

It was announced on Saturday that the reigning world champion had agreed to a new contract to stay at Woking until 2030, with an option to further extend his stay well into what will be Norris's third decade with the team since his debut in 2019. 

In the past, Norris has been heavily courted by Red Bull's former driver chief Helmut Marko, but there have been no serious discussions about the 26-year-old leaving the team he has helped to guide from also-rans to double world constructors' champions. 

Norris confirmed that whilst there had been interest from other teams, he "didn't even have a look" at the proposals, knowing that his future was with McLaren. 

"There was some interest from elsewhere," Norris told BBC Sport. 

"But I don't want to go anywhere. I don't want to be with another team. I don't want to spend time with other people.

"That's why it really was probably one of the easiest decisions I've made since being in Formula 1."

"[Contract talks] became a topic of conversation over the last four months or so, but very loosely in the background"

"The fact I stuck it through with them and then we went on to obviously have success certainly makes me feel like I don't want to... they didn't give up on me, and I didn't give up on them.

"That just creates a very strong bond between everyone that works here. I want to believe that bond stays as strong as it is now until I do retire in my career at Formula 1.

"I know that's a long, long way away, and I don't want to think of it. 

"But I believe we're in the best place we've ever been, even with a tough start to the season, and I believe that we can fight through anything together for sure."