F1: Lando Norris reveals McLaren aims and 77,000 sign Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari petition
Teenage driver Norris looks to the long-term at McLaren
Norris and McLaren aim to take step forward
British teenager Lando Norris says progress is the main aim for McLaren next season after it was confirmed he would drive for the Formula 1 team.
Norris, 18, will join Carlos Sainz in McLaren’s all-new line-up in 2019 and he is looking forward to racing alongside the 24-year-old Spaniard.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Speaking to the BBC about his and McLaren’s goals, Norris said: “I want to say I am better than the other drivers but I still have to prove that.
“As long as I do a good job and put all my effort into proving I am worth it, everything should be fine.
“I am just hoping whatever I do is going to be good enough. I want to be with McLaren and I want to win with McLaren. I don’t think that is going to be next year, so it is more of a longer project.
“Rule number one is: beat your team-mate. Apart from that, it is going to be a tough year.
“We are not going to be winning, or competing against Ferrari and Mercedes. I would like to think we can make a step forward from where we are.”
Buxton: Vandoorne deserves second chance
Lando Norris’ appointment as one of McLaren’s new drivers for 2019 has seen Stoffel Vandoorne lose his seat in F1.
Once tipped to be “McLaren’s next world champion”, the Belgian has struggled this season, winning only eight points.
F1 Digital presenter Will Buxton believes the 26-year-old Belgian has the talent to make an impact in the sport.
Writing on F1.com, Buxton said: “There is every chance that all he needs is a change of environment to allow that mighty talent that many recognise exists within him to break through. Few believe Vandoorne to be anything other than a phenomenally talented racer. Yet even fewer believe he’s lived up to expectations.
“Is he the great talent of a generation which so many of us believed him to be? Perhaps the greatest sadness of all is that, should he fail to find a way to continue his Formula 1 journey into 2019, we may never get to truly discover the answer. I’m hoping he does.”
77,000 sign Kimi petition
Last week it was predicted that Ferrari would announce Charles Leclerc as Kimi Raikkonen’s replacement for the 2019 season. But later no news has yet appeared and Raikkonen’s F1 future remains in the balance.
The Finnish driver certainly has many supporters who want to see him remain in F1. And one fan has set up a petition on Change.org urging Ferrari to keep the 38-year-old for one more year.
As of 3.30pm today the petition had secured more than 77,000 signatures.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published