McLaren CEO Zak Brown has downplayed suggestions that 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari played a factor in 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lando Norris’ latest F1 contraꦬct extension at the start of this year.

Norris signed a new multi-year McLaren deal, with the team anno﷽uncing it just one week before Hamilton’s bombshell switch to Ferrari was revealed.

Many have suggested that Norris’ contract extension was wrapped up sooner to ensure the British driver was taken off the driver market, e⭕nsuring Mercedes could not sign him as a possible H✃amilton replacement.

It means McLaren have Norris and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Oscar Piastri contracted un❀til the end of 2026, giving the Woking outfit one of the most exciting line ups♔ on the grid.

Speaking after the official launch of McLaren’s 2024 F1 challenger, Brown told Sky Sports News that Hamilton’s Ferrari move played no role in Norris’ ne꧑w deal.

“We were aware that there was potentially some movement, but that didn’t really have anything to doღ with Lando,” Brown said. “We’d signed him up. Previously, we’re just waiting for him to get back to actually make the announcement.

“But we knew that Lando and of course Oscar, but we had Oscar signed up for a while, both are hot pro🌸perties🐓.

“So it was less about knowing specifically what was going on with Lewis and Ferrari and Mercedes as much as knowing Laꦡndo is top of everybody’s list and oursﷺ included.”

After a poor start, McLaren enjoyed a 🐼remarkable resurgence in the second half of 2023, ultimately finishing fourth in the constructors’ championship.

Particularly at high-speed circuits such as Silverstone, Suzuk🐭a and Losail, McLaren could challenge Red Bull on outright pace.

Brown believ🌸es Norris’ confidence in McLaren, and the progress they’ve shown, is the reason he want൲ed to commit his future.

“We had a really strong second half of the year, and I think Lando has got the same confidence we do in the team and belief in ourselves. 💞And so it was great to get him signed up💯,” he added.

“And I thin𒈔k, what I’ve really focused on is bringing stability to tꦇhe team.

“So with our new hires, or your existing team, Andrea [Stella],📖 technology infrastructure, we’re just trying to keep our head down, be focused, and there’s some drama going on in the sport at the moment we don’t want to be part of.”