CONFIRMED: Norris pens 2019 McLaren deal

McLaren have confirmed that teenage prodigy Lando Norris will race for the team in 2019. News of Norris' promotion came hot on the heels of confirmation that Stoffel Vandoorne would leave the team at the end of the year. Norris will partner Carlos Sainz in 2019 as McLaren look to rebuild from a dismal few years.

Norris has been tipped as an F1 driver in the making, having won the European F3 Championship in 2017 after a glittering career in other junior formulae.

A dominant win in his Formula 2 debut only fuelled the hype, although he has fallen behind Mercedes academy star George Russell in recent months in the title fight.

Norris' reputation has gone undimmed, however, Toro Rosso attempted to loan him earlier in 2018 and had been tipped to make a move if McLaren did not give the teenager a race seat.

Although McLaren CEO Zak Brown suggested at the Italian Grand Prix that Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez were under consideration for 2019, but Norris, who turns 19 in November, will be thrown straight in at McLaren.

Brown said: "We believe Lando is an exciting talent, full of potential, who we've very deliberately kept within the McLaren fold for exactly that reason.

"Lando is an integral part of our plan for rebuilding our Formula 1 operation for the future, and he has already developed a strong relationship with the team."

Norris was given the chance to drive the MCL33 at both the Italian and Belgian Grands Prix in recent weeks, delivering impressive lap times on both occasions.

"To be announced as a race driver for McLaren is a dream come true," Norris said. "Although I've been part of the team for a while now, this is a special moment, one I could only hope would become reality.

"I'd like to thank the whole team for this amazing opportunity and for believing in me. I'm also extremely grateful for the commitment McLaren has already shown in my development, allowing me to build my experience in a Formula 1 car in both testing and on Fridays during the past two race weekends."