Norris had 'little chats, here and there' with other teams

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Lando Norris says other F1 teams touched base with him regarding a potential contract before the Briton extended his deal with McLaren.

The Woking-based outfit announced on Wednesday an extension of Norris' contract until the end of 2025, an agreement that brings stability and peace of mind to both parties for the long term.

However, before committing to his new McLaren deal, Norris says that his services drew the interest of a few of the papaya squad's rivals although he stopped short of naming which ones.

"There were little chats, here and there," Norris told the media on Wednesday.

"As soon as something came up, that's when I would continue to go to Andreas [Seidl] and have a conversation about what our future holds and so on.

"There were little things, no point lying about it, here and there with various other teams, but nothing that went far at all."

Read also: McLaren extends Lando Norris contract to end of 2025

Queried on the identity of those potential suitors, Norris said: "Which teams? That's something I can't say!" he laughed.

"You'd probably be able to guess reasonably well, but that's all!"

Nevertheless, the fact that McLaren's young gun chose to remain with the team with which he started his career in F1 in 2019 sends "a strong message" given that other offers could have materialized.

©McLaren

"Of course, there will be opportunities now for other drivers to do things, and maybe go to Red Bull or Mercedes, and who knows if I would have had those opportunities?" he said.

"But I think the fact that it's known, or the fact I would have had those opportunities, but I still have chosen to stay with McLaren, is the good thing about this.

"The fact I've still chosen to commit to McLaren, I think that is quite a strong message. This is where I want to be, where I want to achieve race wins, podiums and championships.

"I did weigh up all the factors for my own benefit," he added. "And what I think could have come up in the next few years with drivers leaving, and so on.

"But, in the end, McLaren, for me, was still the best option. So that's why I'm most happy to be here and commit to my team."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.