I can be the next Hamilton – Norris

Lando Norris hopes to emulate four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as he prepares to become the youngest Formula 1 driver in British history.

Teenager Norris, who turns 19 in November, will follow in the footsteps of compatriot Hamilton by joining McLaren as a rookie for the 2019 season.

He will team up with Spaniard Carlos Sainz to represent Britain’s most successful team after Fernando Alonso announced his retirement and Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne was dropped.

“I think it’s nice to be compared to such a good driver. I have admired Lewis since I started watching Formula 1 because I know how a good a driver he is and I know how hard it is,” said Norris.

“And for him to have done as well as he has done is pretty impressive.

“Hopefully one day I can have as many championship wins as he has.

“But I think more of my focus is on next year rather than thinking what could happen.”

Current world champion Hamilton was aged 22 when he burst on to the scene for McLaren at the season-opening 2007 Australian Grand Prix.

Jenson Button was given his big break by Williams when he was just 20 at the turn of the century, but Norris will now eclipse them both when he takes to the grid in Melbourne on March 17.

His opportunity comes after he impressed in the McLaren car during recent practice sessions at the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix.