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Formula 1: 3 new drivers who could end up driving in 2019

By Asher Fair

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - APRIL 08: Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF71H leads Kimi Raikkonen of Finland driving the (7) Scuderia Ferrari SF71H, Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes WO9 (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - APRIL 08: Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF71H leads Kimi Raikkonen of Finland driving the (7) Scuderia Ferrari SF71H, Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes WO9 (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) /
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NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) McLaren F1 Team MCL33 Renault (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) McLaren F1 Team MCL33 Renault (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

Lando Norris

As a McLaren reserve driver, Lando Norris, 18, is the lead candidate to replace two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso next season if Alonso does end up leaving McLaren and perhaps even Formula 1 altogether to potentially drive full-time in IndyCar.

Even if Alonso ends up staying at McLaren in Formula 1 next year, which is highly unlikely, the contract of the team’s other driver, Stoffel Vandoorne, also expires at the end of this season, so it would not be surprising to see Norris replace him. In short, the odds of Norris not driving for McLaren in Formula 1 in 2019 are small.

McLaren already blocked a deal that would have sent Norris to Scuderia Toro Rosso as the replacement for Brendon Hartley for the rest of this season, so it is clear that the current Formula 2 driver is in the near-immediate plans of the Woking-based organization.

After spending one full season competing in European Formula 3 driving for Carlin, Norris was promoted to Formula 2 this season, where he also drives for Carlin. In addition to serving as a test driver for McLaren last year, he was able to secure the European Formula 3 championship with eight victories and 20 podium finishes in 30 races.

So far this season in Formula 2, Norris has earned just one victory through 14 races, but he is well in the championship hunt, as he has managed to secure six podium finishes. He currently sits in second place behind points leader George Russell.

Speaking of George Russell…

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