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 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 518
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 147
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar