Norris willing to be patient over F1 opportunity

  • Published on 02 Aug 2018 12:41
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

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.

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.

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.

  • 1
  • Aug 2 2018 - 16:03

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • 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.

    • + 1
    • Aug 2 2018 - 16:03

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 06:41

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 06:41

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 572
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 176
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar