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McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl has said no team came knocking for Lando Norris, and explained what had triggered the driver’s new long-term deal.

Before the 2022 campaign began, McLaren announced Norris had signed a new deal with the team, believed to be accompanied by a sizeable pay rise.

At the time of this extension, Norris’ previous deal had not been approaching expiry, so Motorsport-Total.com asked Seidl why McLaren felt the need to get his early signature on a new contract.

He was asked “who came knocking?” – Red Bull had previously admitted their interest in bringing Norris into the fold.

But Seidl stressed no team was trying to snatch away the 22-year-old Briton. Instead, having overseen his career trajectory from his rookie campaign in 2019 up to that point, McLaren had a “vested interest” in making sure the partnership continued long term.

And it was a stance which, according to Seidl, Norris shared.

“It wasn’t a matter of someone knocking,” Seidl told Motorsport-Total.com.

“We have already been able to celebrate many successes together and Lando has made an extremely positive development from rookie to one of the top drivers in the paddock. So it’s clear we as a team have a vested interest in keeping him with us for as long as possible. And fortunately, Lando saw it that way too.

“In the winter, we held very positive talks. For Lando, it was important what his further journey in the team would look like, and that was convincing