Norris: Good to compare with Alonso in Monza FP1

Lando Norris is relishing the opportunity to compare himself to two-time world champion Fernando Alonso when he makes next Formula 1 practice appearance at Monza next weekend.

McLaren junior Norris made his grand prix weekend debut on Friday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, replacing Alonso for the first free practice session.

Norris finished 19th-fastest ahead of McLaren’s second driver, Stoffel Vandoorne, and will return to the cockpit of the McLaren MCL33 car for opening practice for the Italian Grand Prix on Friday.

“I think it’s going to be very different to here,” Norris said. “Here’s there’s not that many big braking zones, I guess you’ve got Turn 18, Turn 1. Apart from that, it’s generally quite long, flowing corners, which you have a bit in Monza but even Monza you have lower downforce than here.

“So it’s going to be a bit more tricky, but at the same time it’s going to be another good opportunity for me to get comfortable with the car, learn about different things, with a different package, just kind of learn.

“That’s all it is, help myself develop against Fernando, because I’ll be in Stoffel’s car. It’ll be good to compare in some ways against him.”

Norris is known to be in contention for a full-time McLaren F1 seat in 2019, but refused to think too much about what his practice run-outs at Spa and Monza could lead on to.

“It’s too difficult on my side to say for next year. It’s not like it’s a yes or a no yet,” Norris said.

“It’s just trying to do the best job I can in these opportunities that I get to show what I can do, be consistent, have good feedback, be fast, at the same time not make mistakes.

“It’s an opportunity at max.”