Lando Norris steps up to F2 for Abu Dhabi season finale

McLaren junior and European F3 champion Lando Norris will make his F2 debut at the final round of the series' in Abu Dhabi.

Hailed by McLaren as a future star, Norris won the FIA F3 European championship in his rookie year and will cap off his campaign in the category at Macau next weekend.

The 18-year-old, who celebrates his birthday today, will then head to Abu Dhabi and contest the final round of the series at the Yas Marina venue with Campos Racing.

McLaren’s official Formula 1 test and reserve driver for 2018 will use the one-off drive with the Spanish team to gain valuable experience of the category in advance of a likely full season in 2018.

Norris officially named McLaren test and reserve driver

"Having won the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at my first attempt this year, I will either step up to Formula 2 or Super Formula in 2018 towards my goal of one day racing in Formula 1," said Norris, who will be tyre testing with McLaren this week at Interlagos.

"To get the opportunity to contest the last two races of this year’s F2 season is therefore a bonus whichever category I ultimately chose.

"It’ll be the first time I’ve ever competed in a race that includes a compulsory pit-stop and so this will also be a new experience for me.

“I’ll be signing off from F3 this weekend and having won the Euro F3 title at my first attempt this year, it would be great to go back to Macau and win – it would be an awesome end to what’s already been an amazing year.

"But it’ll be tough as in addition to the high-class field and the nature of the uncompromising track, I’m missing practice which isn’t ideal but Macau is a race I really want to go back and do with the Carlin guys – even with that disadvantage.

"It’s a race everyone looks forward to and it’s an incredible track. I slid wide and touched the barriers in the qualification race last year and so I definitely know that there is no room for errors, you need to be inch perfect.

"I’m much more confident heading there this time, the team has improved, and we’ve performed very well this year on street tracks like Pau which bodes well. I can’t wait to get there."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.