Lando Norris replaces Jenson Button as McLaren reserve driver with GP3 or F2 move on the horizon

European Formula 3 champion will attend all Grand Prix weekends in 2018 with a drive in one of the two feeder series' close to completion

Lando Norris will step up as McLaren's reserve driver in 2018 (Getty)

Rising British motor racing starlet Lando Norris has been promoted to official McLaren reserve and test driver for the 2018 Formula One season, replacing Jenson Button, with the teenager set to participate next year in either the Formula 2 or GP3 feeder series'.

Norris, who turns 18 on Tuesday, took part in a test day following this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix in which he impressed behind the wheel of this year’s MCL32, and having wrapped up the FIA European Formula 3 championship last month at the first attempt, he looks set for a permanent move to the F1 circus.

The Bristol-born driver is currently weighing up his options for a single-seater drive next season, but due to his new commitment of attending every F1 grand prix as reserve driver, it is almost certain to be in one of the two support classes that follow the premier category.

While a move straight into Formula 2 – the category that used to be named GP2 – is a possibility, it is far more likely that he will compete in the GP3 series next season to cut his teeth in the third tier of single-seater racing. A drive could yet open up in F2 though, with 2017 champion Charles Leclerc poised to join Sauber and the rest of the grid yet to be finalised.

“I’m so excited to be joining McLaren as test and reserve driver for 2018,” Norris said on Monday. “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.

“I’m really looking forward to helping the team, starting next week with the tyre test at Interlagos, and I will work harder than ever to learn and develop across the next year. I have two excellent teachers in Fernando [Alonso] and Stoffel [Vandoorne], and I will do my best to help with the team’s efforts to get back to the front.

“I’m still working hard to finalise my own racing programme for 2018 – we’re close on a number of different fronts, but not quite there yet. I hope to be able to announce something shortly.”

Both Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll, both current F1 drivers that will remain with Red Bull and Williams respectively for 2018, made the jump from European F3 to F1 despite their young age, but given that McLaren have confirmed that both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne will remain with the team, Norris’ pathway is somewhat blocked.


 Lando Norris won the European F3 championship this year 
 (Getty)

However, as this year’s reserve driver, Button was needed to step in as a replacement for Alonso when he took part in the Indianapolis 500 on the same weekend as the Monaco Grand Prix, and if anything similar were to happen in 2018, Norris will have to fill in for either Alonso or Vandoorne.

“He is undoubtedly carving himself a reputation as one of the very best up-and-coming single-seater drivers in the world,” said McLaren Technology Group Executive Director Zak Brown.

“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.”

Eric Boullier, the McLaren Racing Director, added: “Lando is somebody who arrives with a very high level of ability, ambition and application; it is our job to develop and fine-tune his focus as we increase his understanding of how a Formula 1 team operates and how a modern grand prix car works.

“There will be plenty of opportunity to observe, learn and participate throughout 2018, and we want to make sure Lando is fully prepared, if needed, to step into Fernando or Stoffel’s shoes at a moment’s notice.”