The motorsports community was abuzz with the recent confirmation of Lewis Hamilton‘s jaw-dropping $127 million deal with Mercedes for two more seasons. The ripples of this commitment are already causing waves in the Formula 1 driver market, notably affecting the prospects of two rising F1 stars: Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon.

Before Hamilton’s new deal was set in stone, the 2025 season driver landscape was in flux. With open seats at Mercedes and Ferrari and Sergio Perez’s tenure at Red Bull in question, a major shake-up was on the horizon. Speculation was rife around Aston Martin’s moves, considering they potentially had Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in their sights.

Leclerc, who has been hinting at renewing his deal with Ferrari, might have seen his Mercedes aspirations scuttled by Hamilton’s return. The latest video from The Race discussed the same prospect on how it’s tempting to wonder if Leclerc’s commitment to Ferrari was influenced by some behind-the-scenes knowledge of Hamilton’s impending announcement.

Meanwhile, Alex Albon, who has been delivering commendable performances at Williams, was perceived as another potential contender for the Mercedes cockpit, especially with the opportunity to partner up with his friend George Russell. But with that door now seemingly shut, Albon will have to recalibrate.

While he could fit in seamlessly with powerhouses like Ferrari, Aston Martin, or McLaren, if Ferrari retains both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, which looks probable, it shrinks Albon’s immediate options. The big question is whether he’ll land with Aston Martin, partnering with veterans like Alonso, or if Red Bull will offer him another shot, particularly if they lose Lando Norris to McLaren.

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After the dust has settled on the whirlwind announcements and speculations around the 2025 driver lineup, one racer’s sentiments stand out amidst the clamor. Lando Norris.

Lando Norris was elated by Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension

When rivalries dominate headlines all the time, it’s refreshing to witness harmony and mutual admiration among competitors. McLaren’s Lando Norris, exemplified this when he shared his genuine delight at the news of Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension.

Responding to questions about Hamilton’s extended tenure in the sport, Norris expressed his sheer joy, labeling it as a ‘cool’ opportunity to keep racing alongside someone he’s revered since childhood. “It’s great, it’s always been a pleasure to race against him,” a beaming Norris shared during the recent F1 press conference. For Norris, like many others in the paddock and countless fans worldwide, Hamilton is not just another competitor. He’s an icon, a benchmark in the world of motorsport.

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“Even this year we’ve had a few more battles. I think it’s a cool thing to race against someone who is one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1,” Norris added. Norris also candidly reminisces about his younger years, saying, “Someone who I looked up to when I was a little kid and I still get the chance to race against him now so I’m happy and will continue to do so for a couple more years.”

Hamilton’s extended contract is not just a win for his fans but also for budding racers like Norris, who relish the challenge and inspiration the seven-time world champion brings to the grid. With the promise of more on-track confrontations between these British superstars, Formula 1 enthusiasts have every reason to be thrilled. As Norris would agree, watching and competing with the best is what makes the sport so electrifying.

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