Lando Norris has confirmed that he had minor discussions with other Formula 1 teams prior to signing an extension with McLaren.
The Woking-based squad announced on Wednesday that it had signed the Briton to a new deal that will keep him at the team through 2025.
Norris enjoyed his strongest year in F1 in 2021, scoring four podiums and his maiden pole position across the campaign.
The 22-year-old ended the season sixth in the standings, in what was his third season in the sport.
Having committed the next four years of his career to McLaren, Norris admits he was approached by other teams before he penned the deal.
“I mean there was little chats here and there,” Norris said. “But that’s all.
“And nothing went far. And as soon as something came up that’s when I would then continue going to Andreas and have a little conversation about what our future holds and so on.
“There were little things, no point lying about it, there were little things here and there with other teams, but nothing that went far at all.”
When asked which teams showed interest in him, Norris replied: “That’s something I can’t say. You’d probably be able to guess reasonably well.”
Norris added that it felt strange to sign another extension with McLaren so soon after his previous deal, which was announced in May of last year.
“I did feel a little bit weird because I had the one last season, but that was at the beginning and that was for that season as well, so it wouldn’t have brought me anywhere near to 2025,” Norris said.
“This is more for the solidarity of me and the team and just to really put the confidence in both of us for the long-term.
“I see that as a benefit, one for myself: to have this longer contract and stay here for a while, and one for the team, I do see it as a performance benefit and motivation benefit for the mechanics, for the engineers and everyone in McLaren Technology Centre.”
