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Lando Norris: McLaren promote young Briton to test and reserve driver for 2018

By Andrew BensonChief F1 writer

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1comments83

Lando Norris
Lando Norris, who turns 18 on 13 November, emulated Lewis Hamilton by winning the European Formula Three championship

McLaren have promoted rising British star Lando Norris to be their official test and reserve driver in 2018.

McLaren executive director Zak Brown described the 17-year-old as "an outstanding young talent".

The move also means Norris would replace Fernando Alonso or Stoffel Vandoorne if either was unable to race.

Norris won the European Formula Three series this year and will race in either Formula Two or Japan's Super Formula in 2018.

He impressed in his first full test for McLaren, setting the second fastest time at the Hungarian Grand Prix behind Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari.

Brown said Norris had proved himself to be "one of the very best up-and-coming single-seater drivers in the world".

He added: "His summer test for McLaren was also remarkably impressive, and was further proof that he is ready to step up and take on a role of this size, scope and responsibility.

"At McLaren, we are all extremely keen to help him achieve his goal of racing in Formula 1."

Norris, who will share a car with Alonso at January's Daytona 24 Hours sportscar race, said: "I'm so excited to be joining McLaren as test and reserve driver for 2018.

"The last 12 months have been an incredible journey for me - I've enjoyed every single minute and this is just an amazing way to bring the year to an end."

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83 comments

  • Comment posted by DS002, at 20:07 6 Nov 2017

    All the best Lando. And good on McLaren!

    We need to continue to encourage and bring forward young British drivers because, at the moment, there's only Lewis flying the Union Jack on the world stage of F1. So after he wins seven or eight WDCs, someone else needs to come along and continue the British domination of F1.

    Can we now break into a sterling rendition of Rule Britannia? Cheers.

  • Comment posted by Stu, at 17:38 6 Nov 2017

    It seems these hys forums have become so bad that even when you congratulate a young driver you get people down voting. Some people lead very sad lives

  • Comment posted by gasketsgreasenipples, at 16:20 6 Nov 2017

    Great news to have another Brit on the steps of F1. " Lando & Fernando" eh, has a kinda ring to it.

  • Comment posted by Rosbif, at 19:51 6 Nov 2017

    Funny I thought this thread was supposed to be about a young guy moving up the ladder and hopefully learning and improving himself but it seems to have turned into a conversation about another driver's tax affairs.

    Good luck Lando, hope you do well.

  • Comment posted by Stu, at 16:46 6 Nov 2017

    Well done Lando, Good luck in the Daytona 24 Hours with Fernando

  • Comment posted by Stephen Taylor, at 19:37 6 Nov 2017

    Why are comments on here treating Lewis like an illegal tax dodger? He has not illegally evaded tax he has just avoided it . Learn to know the difference people.

  • Comment posted by The Original, at 17:02 6 Nov 2017

    Well done Lando.

  • Comment posted by Sk1d, at 19:02 6 Nov 2017

    Great to see McLaren picking up young British talent. Who knows, he could be the next 4 time world champion!

  • Comment posted by justice96ynwa, at 21:06 6 Nov 2017

    43. Posted by Ian
    He very probebly will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Button and Mansell and decide to live elsewhere if successful, can't really blame him if he does

  • Comment posted by lostin50, at 10:26 7 Nov 2017

    Hope he does really well.

    Only advice is he should wait a while before getting a private jet as this can be a taxing experience, or not!

  • Comment posted by K Kerr, at 18:19 6 Nov 2017

    if you've previously owned and flown the Millennium Falcon you ready for F1

  • Comment posted by kris, at 16:35 6 Nov 2017

    @3, I take your point, but at the same time there's a limited pool of talent who might be a potential world champion and there's a huge risk of nurturing then losing that talent. Look at Verstappen as a casing point. Red Bull's hand was forced to put in him mid-season ahead of Kyvat to get him to sign a new deal. Everyone thought that was mad at the time but few question the decision now.

  • Comment posted by Ali Baba and the 40 Misunderstood Persons, at 06:54 7 Nov 2017

    Good luck to the young lad. Here's hoping that McLaren have another Hamilton on their hands. Better yet, here's hoping that they keep this one.

  • Comment posted by badfinger, at 17:16 6 Nov 2017

    Good luck

  • Comment posted by Squibble, at 17:15 6 Nov 2017

    Congrats Lando

  • Comment posted by Them, at 21:36 6 Nov 2017

    Good luck to him, one for the future I hope he can prove himself good enough to get a top car in the near future

  • Comment posted by JdlovinfF1, at 21:28 6 Nov 2017

    I hope this is the start of a long and successful career in F1 for him. He seems to be a decent young kid who is an out right racer and with a bit of luck in 2019 providing he does well next season he might get a seat as a racer rather than a reserve/test driver.

    Good Luck Lando.

  • Comment posted by oobiedoobie, at 20:23 6 Nov 2017

    @56 ~ Rosbif
    "seems to have turned into a conversation about another driver's tax affairs."

    I'll hold my hand up for my part in that. I've stopped now.

  • Comment posted by PMB1872, at 17:45 6 Nov 2017

    Is Lando short for Orlando or are his folks just Star Wars fans? :)

  • Comment posted by mrmjvc, at 17:44 6 Nov 2017

    @19 Unfortunately there are some HYSers who seem to literally live on the BBC Sport page waiting to post something negative.
    On topic, him and LeClerc look like potential championship contenders in say 3-4 years time. Verstappen there too could lead to a very exciting set of races.

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