Formula 1: 6 drivers who could sign with Toro Rosso for 2019

Stoffel Vandoorne

It was widely speculated that McLaren reserve driver Lando Norris, who currently drives for Carlin in Formula 2 and sits in second place in the driver standings, would be loaned by McLaren to Toro Rosso for next year.

With Red Bull Racing’s driver lineup set to consist of 22-year-old Pierre Gasly and 20-year-old Max Verstappen next year, it isn’t like they would sign the 18-year-old Briton away from McLaren to join Toro Rosso, as they likely will not try to replace either one of their young drivers for several seasons.

Norris is another driver who Toro Rosso attempted to replace Brendon Hartley with this year, but McLaren blocked the move. However, they did admit that they would be willing to loan him to another team provided he did not end up signing a long-term contract with this other team.

It would have made sense for Norris to be loaned by McLaren to Toro Rosso for both Toro Rosso and McLaren. For Toro Rosso’s sake, Norris is one of the most talented drivers currently not competing in Formula 1, and for McLaren’s sake, he could gain valuable experience in the sport without the Woking-based team risking him getting away.

However, Norris ended up being signed by McLaren as the replacement for Stoffel Vandoorne, the 26-year-old Belgian who is in just his second season as a full-time driver in Formula 1, as they still feared that Red Bull Racing would try to steal him for Toro Rosso.

Vandoorne has never driven for a team other than McLaren since his Formula 1 career began in the 2016 season and as a full-time driver last season. But McLaren CEO Zak Brown has urged Toro Rosso to sign him.

Here is some of what Brown had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.com.

"“Stoffel’s an outstanding race car driver. You know, ultimately, we look to the future and Lando’s a future star. I think in a different environment Stoffel may excel more with a better race car.”"

Vandoorne has secured seven top 10 finishes in his 34 career Formula 1 starts so far. His career-high finishes are seventh place finishes in the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix and the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. He currently sits in 16th in the driver standings with eight points on three top 10 finishes so far this year, including a season-high eighth place finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix.