Norris will take the papaya-orange wheel full-time next season, driving alongside Carlos Sainz.
At Spa, it looked as if Norris and Vandoorne were in a straight shoot-out for the 2019 seat as McLaren sent their two young boys out when the track was quiet.
It makes sense for McLaren to work through this as neither 2018 driver will be working. Youth development is important for a team in their situation.