McLaren confirm Norris, Sainz for 2020 F1 season

McLaren has confirmed that Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz will remain in an unchanged driver line-up for the 2020 Formula 1 season.

After an impressive start to the 2019 campaign, McLaren has announced it will retain both drivers for next season in an unsurprising move. 

Rookie Norris has taken to F1 exceptionally well, scoring 22 points and managing a best result of sixth place in Bahrain and Austria to sit eighth in the drivers' championship, just eight points behind Sainz, who completed a winter switch from Renault to fill the vacated seat of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. 

Both drivers have successfuly helped the Woking squad continue its progress up F1's pecking order. The British outfit currently occupies fourth spot in the constructors' standings, 20 clear of nearest rivals Renault following the opening nine rounds of the year. 

“Today’s announcement provides the team with the continuity to keep pushing forward," said McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl.

"The performance of both Carlos and Lando have been a key part of the team’s progress. Their feedback has enabled our engineers to develop the MCL34 and look ahead to the MCL35.

"Carlos has played a key role in developing the car using his experience, while Lando has got up to speed with the demands of Formula 1 incredibly quickly and is growing in confidence every weekend. This is welcome news for the whole McLaren team and we look forward to continuing our partnership together.”

The announcement comes just days ahead of McLaren's home race, the British Grand Prix. 

McLaren CEO Zak Brown added: “I’m delighted we’re able to announce our 2020 driver line-up ahead of the team’s home race at the British Grand Prix this weekend.

"Both Carlos and Lando are proving themselves as racers and are integral to our path to recovery. They have made a real contribution to the positive momentum and morale within the team, both at the track and back at the factory.

"The reception they’ve received from our fans has been outstanding and they are superb ambassadors for the McLaren brand, personifying our Fearlessly Forward mentality.”