BRITISH teenager Lando Norris has admitted he would have run the gauntlet of guns in Brazil to take another step on his path to Formula One stardom.
Norris’ McLaren team scrapped their two-day test in Sao Paulo earlier this month after a series of harrowing security incidents overshadowed the penultimate round of the campaign.
Eight of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team were robbed at gunpoint, while Pirelli, F1’s tyre supplier who were due to take part in the test with McLaren, were targeted after the race on Sunday, but escaped unharmed.
Norris, the heir to Hamilton’s throne after a string of impressive displays in the junior ranks of motor racing, had flown to South America to take part for McLaren. But he left without turning a wheel in anger and another chance to impress. He departed Brazil less than 24 hours after he arrived.
“If it was on, then yes, 100 per cent,” said Norris, 18, when asked if he wanted the test to go ahead. “It was another opportunity to drive, and one you have to take. You do what you can and sacrifice other things to go and do it.
“I was looking forward to doing another test in Formula One. It was in Brazil, which I think is a pretty cool track to drive at. I was obviously disappointed.”
Norris turned heads with his impressive display in his first official F1 outing at August’s test in Hungary – in which he was second only to Sebastian Vettel – before going on to seal the prestigious F3 championship.
He was promoted to the role of McLaren reserve driver for 2018.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here