Norris to drive for McLaren in Russia

Lando Norris looks set to drive the McLaren car in FP1 this coming race weekend. Similar to how he replaced Fernando Alonso in Belgium, the young Brit will do a double practice session. His usual F2 championship practice begins just 30 minutes after the F1 chequered drops! Just enough time for a change of overalls!

Norris will be back in the McLaren in FP1 in Sochi, doubling up again with F2 practice starting just 30 minutes after FP1 ends #F1 #RussianGP

— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) 24 september 2018

Norris will take the papaya-orange wheel full-time next season, driving alongside Carlos Sainz.

At Spa, it looked as if Norris and Vandoorne were in a straight shoot-out for the 2019 seat as McLaren sent their two young boys out when the track was quiet.

It makes sense for McLaren to work through this as neither 2018 driver will be working. Youth development is important for a team in their situation.