My future depends on what Alonso does - Norris

Current Formula 3 champion and new McLaren reserve driver Lando Norris has admitted that his future with the Woking-based outfit ultimately depends on what Fernando Alonso wishes to do with the team, as the young driver doesn't want to wait much more than a year to feature in F1.

Norris, at just 18-years-old, is viewed as a very promising young driver and emerged as winner in the Formula 3 championship last season. In November of last year, he was confirmed as McLaren's official reserve driver for the upcoming 2018 campaign, but the youngster does not want to wait too long before featuring as a main driver.

Alonso has endured a torrid time at McLaren due to the unreliability of their Honda engines over the past few years, but once the Japanese manufacturer was ditched in favour of Renault, the Spaniard signed a new contract.

Norris admits that he may have to move elsewhere if McLaren use both Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne for the long-term.

“Obviously from that, I would say so, but I couldn’t really say what they are thinking,” he told Motorsport.com.

“I guess you have to wait for what Fernando wants to do and I think they are happy with Stoffel [Vandoorne] and it is quite early in his career. Obviously he can develop a lot and definitely improve as a driver going into 2018.

“So it is a bit of it is waiting to see what they are going to do but I can’t really say what else is going to happen – it is a bit hard for me.”

He added: “Obviously my aim is to be at McLaren. If I can’t get a drive here, then I have to look at other opportunities.

“If they say ‘We’re not really going to have a drive [available] for three years or something, then it is obvious that I am going to have to go elsewhere.

“But if it is just one year, I think I’ll still stick with McLaren and deal with one year out. The aim is to be with McLaren.”