Norris’ McLaren future hinging on Alonso’s

While Lando Norris would like to race for McLaren in 2019, he acknowledges that a possible race-seat could depend on whether Fernando Alonso wants to continue racing.

After McLaren announced that they had dropped Honda engines in favour of a swap to Renault, Alonso re-signed with the Woking team.

While initially reports hinted at a one-year deal, the double World Champion revealed that it is “a long-term contract and we’ll see how things go.”

And how things go could determined Norris’ future with the McLaren reserve driver keen to race come 2019.

“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.”