Future star Lando Norris thinks that a move to Formula 2 is a "more likely option" for 2018 as opposed to Super Formula, although he has insisted that his main focus is on winning the European Formula 3 title in his rookie season.
Norris recently drove for McLaren at F1's in-season test at Hungary prior to the summer break, impressing onlookers with a professional and mature drive. The Briton is now targeting a move to F1's feeder series, F2: "I think if I win this is probably what I'm going to do," Norris told GPUpdate.net when asked if Formula 2 was on the cards for next year. "It's that or Super Formula. We haven't decided to just go down the F2 route yet, it also depends on what McLaren want, and if Formula 3.
"And as soon as it's more realistic that I'm going to be winning this, or after the last race, straight away we'll talk more about what we want to do next year," he added. "A lot depends on this season, if I don't do well... unlikely, but it might be another year of F3.
"They put Stoffel [Vandoorne] in Super Formula, so it could be Super Formula, but it's definitely more between Super Formula and F2, and I think F2 is the more likely option." When his performance at F1's in-season test was addressed and how he impressed many in the paddock with his drive, Norris remained adamant that he is focussed on F3: "All my concentration is just on Formula 3.
"I'm just concentrating on what I need to concentrate on basically, I'm not always thinking, 'I need to do this, be in F1 next year,' or, 'this and be in F1 in two years', or something. The best thing I can do is win, so that's all I need to concentrate on.
"It's going in the right direction, but I think the aim is to be two to three years [in Formula 1]. I'm probably not going to be Formula 1 next year, unless something suddenly appears," he concluded.
Norris currently leads the F3 Drivers' Championship by 11 points from Maximilian Gunther. The 17-year-old Bristol-born racer has racked up an impressive seven victories this season along with a further eight podium finishes, making quite an impact on the field since his arrival.
Chris Soulsby
Replies (0)
Login to reply