Why Norris is convinced McLaren 'story' will end as World Champion

Lando Norris insists he wants to stay at McLaren to complete his "story" and become World Champion.

On Thursday, Norris signed a long-term contract extension with the Woking squad, where he made his F1 debut in 2019.

Norris has developed into one of the strongest drivers on the grid, and scooped seven Grand Prix podiums on his way to a career-best sixth in the 2023 Drivers' standings.

The Briton has long been linked with a potential switch to admirers Red Bull, but feels McLaren - the team who nurtured him through the junior categories to F1 is the best place for him to become a race-winner and ultimately, World Champion.

"I'm convinced as a team that we have everything we need in order to [become World Champion]," Norris told media after he signed his new contract.

"It's both a team goal and not just a personal one that I've have, so am I convinced I'm capable of doing it? Yes. And am I convinced that the team is capable of doing it? Yes.

"I don't think it is just over the past year and how we turned things around, that has convinced me, but it is just everything that goes on day-to-day with the people that are here, the work ethic, the mentality and the approach to everything.

"It's also how the other teams are doing, how they are looking and how they are feeling, what their potentials are and what drivers and people have got.

"Nothing from my side was convinced enough to ever want me to have a proper look at another team.

"The atmosphere, the mentality, the camaraderie that we've had, we've built it up a lot over the years and I've much enjoyed being part of that.

"I want to be part of this story of turning things around and going from the beginning of my career and struggling and then going through those ups and downs and sticking with the team was a big factor for me - as much as I want to be in a team that is the quickest one.

"I want to be in a team that I love and I enjoy every moment with, and when you factor all these things in together, the improvements that we've made and just walking around the factory and seeing how excited, how motivated and passionate everyone is, it is defintely a new level from where we've been.

"Work ethic and people are what needs to convince me, as well as results, but the people and family feeling that we have and the push that everyone is doing so when I put those three things together, along with me wanting to be part of the family and enjoying the life that I live, it made it quite an easy decision."

Will Lando Norris become World Champion at McLaren? Let us know in the comments and by voting in the poll!