Brown keen not to disrupt Norris' F1, F2 commitments

McLaren Formula 1 chief Zak Brown is eager not to disrupt junior driver Lando Norris' commitments through 2018 despite an impressive showing by the youngster in the Rolex 24 at Daytona last month.

Norris, 18, made a significant impression in his first sports car race with United Autosports at Daytona International Speedway while racing alongside two-time F1 champion and full-time McLaren driver Alonso, winning praise from up and down the paddock.

While Alonso will balance his F1 race duties with an expanded FIA World Endurance Championship campaign with Toyota, Brown is keen to ensure that Norris - who will race in Formula 2 and act as McLaren's reserve driver - does not have an overloaded schedule to contend with by adding any additional events on top.

"I think you need to be a little bit careful with the younger ones," Brown said.

"This is an off-season normally where all the other drivers would be out golfing or whatever, their other off-season activities. I think it’s really good for Lando to see how Fernando approaches a race weekend.

"Fernando goes into a race weekend more prepared than any other driver I’ve ever seen. He’s got an unbelievable discipline and thirst for information.

"Obviously you have a view of how they have speed, but Lando is very, very quick, and what he’s going to learn from Fernando is how to go quicker, but more importantly how to approach a race weekend and the level of professionalism that Fernando brings.

"So on that basis, I think it’s very good, but I probably want to be less disruptive with Lando through the season than someone like Fernando because of the experience he has."

MORE: How Lando Norris stole the show from Fernando Alonso at Daytona