Norris locked down a four-year extension through 2030, pulling one of F1's top drivers off the market with a deal carrying world-champion money. McLaren is betting its franchise on the 26-year-old after his breakthrough 2025 title, and the timing fits a grid-wide push for stability. Verstappen, Leclerc, and now Norris are all on long-term deals as teams navigate 2026 power unit regs without adding driver uncertainty.
The extension raises questions for Oscar Piastri. The Australian lost last year's championship after a late collapse, hasn't won since, and is deep in a slump with the 2026 car. He's signed through 2028, but Norris' mega-deal sends a signal about pecking order—especially after team-order friction at Monza, Singapore, and Austin last year. McLaren insists Piastri's struggles are technical, applying the same fix that unlocked Norris. If it works, they field two aces. If not, the hierarchy just got written in ink.
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