"Alonso input would be valuable" - Norris

Making your F1 debut with McLaren is a big test of any driver, even when McLaren are not quite at their best. That is the test facing young Lando Norris, who will race for the team in 2019.

The 19 year-old finished second in F2 last year and his performances earned him a seat with one of the biggest teams on the grid for next season, replacing the outgoing Fernando Alonso, who is retiring.

Alonso has years of experience behind him and Norris is keen to tap in to that knowledge ahead of his debut in Australia.

The Spaniard may be leaving the team, but he will remain tied to the team due to his Indy 500 adventures next year and Norris is excited about having him around.

“I think it’ll be very valuable,” Norris said of Alonso’s advice.

“He’s obviously got the best idea of how the car’s changed over the years, the best experience of what’s good and what’s bad – a lot more than I do.

“Obviously I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“He still is part of McLaren, I guess a lot is up to him.

“Of course I would like to have as many days [of testing] as possible but if everyone comes to a decision and thinks it’s for the good of the whole team and [thinks that] his feedback would be just as important as mine or Carlos’ then I think it’s a good thing.

“But I think there’s a long way to go until we see what he wants to do and if he wants to get in an F1 car again.”