Norris: I grew up watching Lewis and Fernando at McLaren

Talk is the English teenager may even be on the grid with McLaren before the end of this season to replace out of sorts Stoffel Vandoorne and partner Fernando Alonso perhaps as soon as the Italian Grand Prix.

Champion in just everything he raced during his junior career, Norris currently lies second in the Formula 2 championship.

After an impressive winning start to his new campaign, it has not been a walk in the park for him as many expected because the Class of 2018, in the feeder series, is proving to be a tight contest with formidable rivals in the field.

But Norris is not intimidated and told The Guardian, "I’ve learned to try and not be down as much when it goes wrong. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. In the past I would have been the opposite, I would have been annoyed. I am still a bit up and down but have learned you don’t need to be down so much."

"Sometimes it can go wrong and I come away happy and positive and know I can improve, and sometimes I think everything is terrible and that I am not very good. And that makes me annoyed with myself."

MotoGP was Norris' early passion, with Valentino Rossi his idol, but he also recalls that at the age of eight Formula 1 was already on his radar, "Growing up watching Lewis and Fernando, my favourite car was the McLaren in that chrome and fluorescent orange. McLaren were one of the first teams I liked and supported."

The McLaren situation is an interesting one because according to multiple sources Norris has a deal with the Woking outfit which stipulates that if by the end of September he is not confirmed on the grid for 2019 he has the option to depart the team and seek a ride elsewhere.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that McLaren may sideline Vandoorne to allow Norris to step-up to the race seat alongside veteran Fernando Alonso as early as the Italian Grand Prix in early September or a race later in Singapore.

Reason for this being that the team have Norris on duty for both days of testing at Hungaroring. If things go to plan by the end of Wednesday he will have four or five race simulation runs under his belt.

Needless to say, Norris is relishing the opportunity, "It is challenging knowing that, if you do join, a lot of work is needed to help the team develop the car."

"If you do eventually get there, it makes a win sweeter. If you were there for two years and ended up winning a championship in year three or year four, that would make it a better win for the team and for yourself," reasoned Norris with a remarkable maturity that belies his age.

McLaren team chief Zak Brown knows the potential of their young driver, "I certainly think he’s fast enough to be in Formula 1, but you also need to make sure not to rush things and give him enough experience. He’s definitely our star of the future."