Lando Norris stands by signing long-term McLaren deal with message for critics

Lando Norris has stood by his decision to sign a long-term deal with McLaren – telling Jenson Button and other critics: “If someone wants to talk cr*p about me, then cool, I’ll just laugh it off.”

Norris snubbed the chance to join one of the grid’s big three teams by agreeing to stay with McLaren until 2026 on a contract understood to be worth up to £20 million-a-season.

But after scoring four podiums in 2020 – narrowly missing out on a maiden win in Russia – Norris, who lives in Monaco, finished on the rostrum just once last year.

And there is deep concern at McLaren that they have fallen further down the pecking order ahead of the new campaign which starts in Bahrain on Sunday.

Button (43), the 2009 world champion who spent seven seasons with McLaren, said he was “surprised” that Norris committed to a four-year deal.

He also said the Englishman – who is gearing up for his fifth season in F1 – needs to be in a winning machine at this stage of his career.

However, in an interview with the PA news agency, Norris (23) said: “It is not always that simple.

“The thing with Formula One is that you can be the best driver in the world, and not be in the best car, and that is through no fault of your own.

“Lewis (Hamilton) came into McLaren (in 2007) when they were winning championships and winning races and from the beginning, that makes you look good.

“If he came into McLaren now he wouldn’t have won a race and he wouldn’t have been anywhere near the driver he is today or achieved what he has today.

“Not everyone knows what goes on behind the scenes and what opportunities there are. It is my choice and I am the one who says ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I could just be here because I am enjoying it more and I like McLaren and it as simple as