Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc sign new deals, end speculation over F1 defection

Two of F1’s most talented drivers have announced new deals, ending speculation they could defect to Red Bull and join Max Verstappen.

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have signed new F1 deals.

Lando Norris signed a “multi-year” contract extension with McLaren on Friday to end speculation over his Formula One future.

Norris was already contracted to McLaren until the conclusion of the 2025 season, but the new deal puts to rest talk the British driver could be lured to rivals Red Bull.

The 24-year-old has been with McLaren since 2018, but there were reports he could leave the team after a slow start to the 2023 campaign.

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Norris eventually enjoyed his most successful season to date, finishing sixth in the world championship and recording six second-placed finishes.

“Considering we were able to do what we did last year, considering it’s a team that I’ve been with from the beginning, it’s a team that I want to continue my story with, in terms of reaching my goal of winning races and winning championships,” Norris said.

“McLaren is the team that I want to do it with. They’re the ones who brought me into Formula One and gave me this opportunity.

“So, in some ways, I feel like I owe it to them and I’m just very much part of the family and very much enjoying where I am. I don’t want to join a different team and not enjoy it.

“I’m excited to be part of that family, especially on the trajectory that we’re on.”

Despite Red Bull currently being the dominant force in the sport thanks to star driver Max Verstappen, Norris insists that a change of team was not something he seriously considered.

Lando Norris has committed to McLaren. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Having started 104 races and earned 13 podium finishes, his next challenge is to secure a maiden Grand Prix win.

“Really nothing from any other side was convincing enough to ever want to make me even have a proper look at another team,” he said.

“As much as I do want to just be in a team that’s the quickest one, there’s also that element of ‘I’m also here because I love racing and I love to have fun and enjoy all of that’.

“There’s not many things that can be guaranteed or assured of with any team. So, it comes back to, where will I be happiest and where am I most confident that I can actually achieve a world championship?

“In the beginning of last year, maybe it wouldn’t have been McLaren but now I think I’m more confident than ever in saying it’s going to be.”

Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri is signed with McLaren until the end of 2026.

Norris and Oscar Piastri are one of the strongest driver pairings in F1. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc committed his future to Ferrari after signing a contract renewal with the Italian F1 giant.

Ferrari did not specify the length of Leclerc’s new deal, merely saying that it took him “beyond the 2024 season” when his current contract expires.

But in their Italian statement the Scuderia said that Leclerc, who finished fifth last season and way behind world champion Max Verstappen, would be staying on for the “coming seasons”.

“I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come. To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old,” Leclerc said in a statement.

“My dream remains that of winning the world championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy.”

Leclerc, 26, has been driving for Ferrari’s F1 team since 2019, one year after making his debut in the premier racing championship with Sauber.

The Monegasque had three years previously been at the Ferrari Driver Academy before winning the F2 championship in 2017.

Since joining the Scuderia Leclerc has won five Grands Prix, claimed 30 podium finishes and started on pole position 23 times.

Charles Leclerc is staying at Ferrari. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

But he has failed to put up a proper challenge for the world title as Verstappen and Red Bull snatched dominance of the sport from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in 2021.

The closest Leclerc has come to the drivers’ championship was in 2022 when he finished second behind Verstappen.

He ended that season 146 points off the pace and last season the gap was even larger, a whopping 369 points separating Leclerc from the Dutchman.

“Charles … has been part of the Ferrari family for eight years now, dating back to a time before he first sported the prancing horse emblem on his race suit,” said Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.

“We are determined to give Charles a winning car and I know that his determination and commitment are elements that can make the difference in helping us reach our goals.”

The coming F1 season begins on March 2 in Bahrain after three days of testing on the Gulf island in February.

Each of the 10 teams entering the 75th edition of the championship has the same driver pairings as last season, the majority of whom have contracts which expire at the end of this year.