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Lando Norris says that he is willing to get some free practice sessions under his belt to gain some Formula 1 weekend experience before making his race debut. The 2017 European Formula 3 champion was confirmed as McLaren's official reserve driver earlier this year, replacing Jenson Button.
McLaren's line-up for 2019 remains in heavy doubt, as the futures of both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne are uncertain. Renault's Carlos Sainz has been linked to a seat at the Woking team, as has 18-year-old Norris.
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But Norris is willing to wait for the seat, and is now thinking that some F1 experience may be helpful before he jumps into the hot seat. When asked what his future holds, he said: "It’s very difficult to say. Especially being in the situation we are right now with no-one really knowing what Fernando wants to do next year.
"Obviously it’d be very nice to be in Formula 1, but at the same time staying with McLaren maybe it’s better to be saying ‘I want to be doing these FP1s, have more opportunities to drive in Formula 1’, if there is confirmation that I might be offered a seat in 2020, maybe that’s a better opportunity and a situation to be in. Until everyone starts making decisions I don’t really know what to say."
Toro Rosso was rumoured to be making a move for Norris this season, taking him in on loan from McLaren as a replacement for Brendon Hartley. The Briton says that he would love to be in F1 as soon as possible, but isn't sure that switching teams is a great idea.
“Of course I could see it, I would like to see it, that I could just be in Formula 1. But I don’t think that’s still the way to go. I think ideally I’d be with McLaren next year, that’s the perfect situation, but it’s not up for me to decide, it’s up to the bosses and Fernando and whoever makes all the decisions.
"I just have to focus on Formula 2, doing the best job I can in that, hopefully winning as that’s the best thing I can do,” he concluded.
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ajpennypacker
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Lando is a super talent. I think he needs to focus on F2 and make sure he wins that championship. He's no doubt going to be in F1. But F2 is great preparation. He's had a terrible season and he's still 2nd. Time to shine.