'I opened my Haribo, then I got a McLaren seat' - Norris recounts 2019 hire

Lando Norris has revealed how late the decision for him to be a McLaren driver in 2019 was made. Team boss Zak Brown informed the teenager that he would be a Formula 1 driver next year just before lights out at the Italian Grand Prix.

Norris will take Stoffel Vandoorne's seat next year, partnering Carlos Sainz as McLaren plot a recovery following years of midfield misery.

The 18-year-old has been tipped as an F1 star in the making after a glittering junior career, backed up by a title challenge in his maiden Formula 2 campaign this year.

However, with Brown having talked up the potential arrivals of Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon over the Monza weekend, it seems the decision to hire Norris took the driver by surprise more than anyone.

"I was in the Brand Centre at Monza on Sunday, so much later than you probably would have thought," Norris said.

"I was just about to get my bag of Haribos out for the team, pre-race snacks, and I walked into the office and Zak was in there.

"I said I had a flight to catch and I wasn't able to stay for the race.

"Then he said, 'I got somethin' to tell you'. Then he basically said [about 2019], and I had that whole journey home to think about it.

"Just a cool thing, but until it gets announced officially, that's when it feels even better. It was a cool moment.

"They'd given me the chance in FP1, but with all of the speculation of Ocon, Perez, it kind of just twisted it a tiny bit, which I think was their plan.

"But even for me, I think they'd rather not say anything just to keep me focusing on whatever I have to do in the weekend.

"I didn't see it [being told] coming, especially that quickly. It doesn't really matter how he says it or whatever, it happens."