McLaren junior Lando Norris, who is been branded as Britain's next great F1 talent, says he looks up to Lewis Hamilton but does not see the 2017 world champion as his idol.
Norris put in a dominant performance this season as he conquered the Euro F3 title, and is tipped to be named McLaren's reserve driver for 2018.
But the 17-year-old says he doesn't consider Hamilton as a role model, although he does value his outstanding achievements as a driver.
"I don't know Lewis," Norris told the Daily Mail.
"He was at the FIA awards at the end of last year so I saw him there, but we didn't speak. I did speak to Sebastian Vettel, though. He made time for me and we spent five or 10 minutes chatting.
"It was kind of him to do that."
Norris acknowledged however that he was flattered to be considered the heir apparent to the four-time world champion.
"It is cool to think about that sometimes," Norris added.
"I look up to Lewis as a very good driver, and he is especially quick in qualifying. I support him because he is British, but he is not an idol to me.
"I try to do well and hopefully the rest will take care of itself."
Early next year, Lando Norris will race in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Zak Brown's United Autosports outfit, alongside Fernando Alonso and the team's regular driver Phil Hanson.
In 2018, Norris will combine his role at McLaren with a full season in the Formula 2 championship, won this year by Charles Leclerc.
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