Norris extends McLaren contract until 2030, Mazepin makes racing return

Lando Norris has committed his future to McLaren until at least 2030, while Nikita Mazepin has made a statement on his return to racing by taking pole in the Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy at Spa-Francorchamps.

Why it matters:

Norris' extension locks in the reigning world champion and keeps McLaren's title-winning partnership with Oscar Piastri intact. Mazepin's comeback is equally significant, arriving just weeks after the FIA eased restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers, allowing them to race under their own flag for the first time since 2022.

The details:

• Norris, who joined McLaren's junior programme in 2017 and has raced in F1 for the team since 2019, has 48 podiums, 13 wins, two constructors' titles and last year's dramatic drivers' crown. "McLaren is my home," he said. "We've achieved that goal, but we want more."
• Team principal Andrea Stella: "This extension gives us important continuity and reinforces our confidence in the direction we are taking together."
• Mazepin, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Team Motopark, topped Friday's practice at Spa with a 2:16.618, beating Thomas Amweg by 4.160 seconds. It's his first competitive outing since the Asian Le Mans Series two and a half years ago.
• The FIA removed the neutral-flag requirement for Russian and Belarusian drivers earlier this month, a policy introduced after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the same year Mazepin lost his Haas seat.

What's next:

Norris heads to Monza with back-to-back wins and momentum for a late title charge. Mazepin will start Saturday's opening STT race from pole, with more track time ahead.