Teenager Norris succeeds Button as McLaren reserve driver

Jenson Button's role as test and reserve driver with McLaren will be filled by promising 17-year-old Briton Lando Norris next season.

Published : Nov 06, 2017 19:29 IST

Lando Norris of McLaren
Lando Norris of McLaren
lightbox-info

Lando Norris of McLaren

McLaren have confirmed that British teenager Lando Norris will become the F1 team's test and reserve driver in 2018.

The 17-year-old tested with McLaren in Hungary in August and will now replace Jenson Button as back-up to Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne next season.

WATCH: Mercedes dominance could be nearing the end, says Horner

Veteran Button had given up his seat after the 2016 campaign but remained involved last term in a support role that will now be taken by his promising young compatriot, who won the Formula 3 tite at the first attempt in October.

"I'm so excited to be joining McLaren as test and reserve driver for 2018," Norris said in a statement on McLaren's website.

"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 and Stoffel, and I will do my best to help with the team's efforts to get back to the front."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment