Norris insists no regrets in early McLaren decision

Lando Norris has absolutely "no regrets" in signing a multi-year contract extension with McLaren despite a seat at Mercedes for 2025 now being available.

It was announced by McLaren in the final week of January that the British driver had agreed to an extension of his current deal which was due to expire at the end of next year, despite speculation linking him elsewhere.

Norris was heavily touted for a possible move to Red Bull for 2026, when the new power unit regulations are introduced, to partner Max Verstappen. As a result, the timing of his extension perhaps came as a surprise to some.

Just a matter of days after Norris committed his future to McLaren, Lewis Hamilton revealed that he would be leaving Mercedes at the end of the upcoming season to complete a blockbuster move to Ferrari.

It means the Brackley-based outfit has a vacant seat for 2025, which perhaps would have been available to Norris had he not signed his new deal with McLaren before Hamilton made his announcement.

Norris 'confident' in McLaren

On whether he regretted the timing of his contract extension, Norris told media including RacingNews365: "No, no, I'm very happy. I could have waited, so I had the choice.

"I knew opportunities were potentially coming my way, and what opportunities I had at the time of last year and coming into this year, and what could have happened or what is happening over the next couple of years anyway.

"So no regrets from any side. I'm confident in my team, I'm confident in what we've been able to achieve and what we can achieve going into the future, and I'm very happy with where I am.

"Of course, I could be happier if we were achieving more of the goals that I think we all want to achieve. But the main point is, I'm enjoying my time with the guys that I'm with, and for me, that's always a big part of my life is that I want to enjoy where I am, and I am.

"I think that's an important part of trying to improve as a team at the same time, and knowing everyone and pushing everyone, and I think everyone is capable of getting to the goal of being the top team in Formula 1."