McLaren young gun @LandoNorris wraps up @FIAF3Europe Title

McLaren Young Driver Lando Norris has won the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship with two races remaining to become the youngest driver in history to secure the “crown”.

The ultra-talented 17-year-old Briton claimed the prestigious title in Germany today (14 Oct) after a dominant first full Euro F3 season. It is the first time a British driver has won either the Formula 3 Euro Series or FIA Formula 3 European Championship title since Paul di Resta in 2006 – a year after Lewis Hamilton.

Norris placed his Carlin prepared Dallara-Volkswagen second, denied victory by a mere 0.725secs, in the first of three races at Hockenheim to secure the “crown” in a season in which he consistently outperformed his more experienced rivals. Today’s result takes his impressive tally to nine race wins, 19 podiums from 19 front row starts (including eight pole-positions) plus eight fastest race laps this year. He has currently scored 429-points and with only a maximum of 50pts available in the final two races, Norris cannot be caught.

The BRDC SuperStar completed a sensational day of testing McLaren-Honda’s current Formula One car at the Hungaroring this summer (2 Aug) as part of his prize for winning the McLaren Autosport British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Award last December. Norris, driving the latest generation McLaren-Honda MCL32 for the first time, recorded the second quickest lap time (1m17.385s) of the day behind Sebastian Vettel (1m17.124s). Norris has another race later today and the final race tomorrow morning (15 Oct).

Lando Norris (GB): Born: Bristol, England. Aged 17.

“It’s been a fantastically successful year and a season in which it hopefully takes me closer to realising my [Formula One] dream,” confirmed Lando. “Carlin gave me a fast, competitive car from the opening event at Silverstone and my thanks go to Trevor [Carlin] and his amazing crew. 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 [F3] title can only help me become a F1 driver.”