Norris: 'Fresh start' for McLaren in 2019 in team's best interest

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McLaren recruit Lando Norris believes the team's all-new driver line-up for 2019 offers the Woking-based outfit an opportunity for a "fresh start".

Norris will partner with Carlos Sainz next season at McLaren as Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne depart the team. The Spaniard has decide to move on to hopefully greener pastures, perhaps in IndyCar, while the Belgian has not been retained by McLaren for next season.

Norris would have relished the challenge of racing alongside Alonso - a perilous exercise when one looks at Vandoorne's current plight - but ultimately he believes starting from scratch with two new drivers is a better proposition for McLaren.

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"As much as I admire Fernando, and I loved working with him from Daytona all the way through McLaren, I think for the longevity of McLaren and helping them improve as a team together, I think having Carlos is another thing where we can really push each other together," Norris said.

"I think Fernando, if he was here again next year, he would definitely help the team improve, but I think going throughout all the years, I think it is good teams have fresh starts every now and then. Especially with where McLaren are now."

Indeed, after reshuffling its management team earlier this summer, McLaren is currently in the process of overhauling its technical structure, with Toro Rosso's James Key expected to move to Woking some time in 2019.

Norris says he is looking forward to working with Sainz, although he has yet to het acquainted with his future team mate.

"I don’t think it is a bad thing or a good thing that I am going with Carlos. I look forward to working with him. I have never spoken to him or met him, so I look forward to it," said the 18-year-old.

"It is a shame because I really would have loved the opportunity to drive with Fernando. Hopefully I will in the future whether it is in Formula 1 or some endurance race. I would like to.

"But for McLaren and myself, I think it is the best thing."

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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.