Teenager Norris emulates Hamilton by winning European F3 title

15 October 2017 05:54

British teenager Lando Norris has followed in Lewis Hamilton's footsteps by sealing the European Formula Three championship.

Norris, the 17-year-old from Somerset who is already a member of McLaren's young driver academy, clinched the title with two races to spare.

Hamilton, who himself is on the verge of winning his fourth Formula One world championship, won the F3 title back in 2005 before securing a full-time drive with McLaren two years later.

"It's been a fantastically successful year and a season in which it hopefully takes me closer to realising my Formula One dream," said Norris after finishing second at Hockenheim to secure the F3 crown.

"I'm loving my role as a McLaren Young Driver, spending time in the simulator at the McLaren Technology Centre and attending some grands prix with the team. Winning this title can only help me become a F1 driver."

Norris posted the second fastest time in his first official F1 test for McLaren at the Hungaroring in August, and could now land the role as the British team's reserve driver in place of Jenson Button next season.

Norris is the first Brit to win the F3 championship since Paul di Resta, who has competed in 59 grands prix, won the title in 2006.

Source: PA