Lando Norris deal no indication of new McLaren confidence

McLaren

Norris deal no indication of new McLaren confidence

Norris insisted the new deal is no indication of

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Monday 21 February 2022 13:45

Lando Norris has insisted his new deal with McLaren has no correlation to expected performance with the new-for-2022 MCL36.

The Briton recently signed a fresh four-year contract with "no get-outs" for either party, meaning the partnership will continue until at least the end of the 2025 season.

The announcement came as somewhat of a surprise given Norris only put pen to paper on a new multi-year agreement in May last year.

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Asked if confidence in the new car played a part in his decision to sign the new deal, Norris replied: "No, not really.

"I just have confidence in the team regarding what we might have this year. We have no idea where it is going to be against any other team.

"There is literally nothing that can tell us if we are doing good [or] if we are doing bad other than gossip and rumours that you hear between teams or you might hear from interviews or whatever.

"I have strong faith in McLaren now. They are working as hard as possible and doing the best job they can to continue this kind of trend we have been on the last few years.

"Whether that means we jump up a few positions or whether we lose a few positions, that is just the way it is but it doesn't mean I will think any less of the team. I will have that faith and confidence."

McLaren title win "a far question" - Norris

Explaining McLaren's timeline for success, Norris added: "In year two, year three, year four, that is the higher end and that is where there are more opportunities for us to achieve more.

"I have confidence in the team for this year. Whether or not we will be able to win races or the championship, I think is a very far question and something we just have to wait and see.

"We still know, without a wind tunnel, without a few things we don't have just yet, to be able to beat teams like Mercedes and Red Bull that are performing at such a high level, it is extremely difficult and almost impossible.

"Unless you are so incredible in every other area you are making up for not having a quick enough wind tunnel and I don't think we are at that point just yet."