ab5403bda4b85486e920274e698fbfb367d7fd01

Zak Brown denies junior driver deal

16:15, 10 Apr 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

McLaren junior drivers Lando Norris and Nyck De Vries are both competing in Formula 2 this season.

McLaren executive director Zak Brown has moved to deny that there is a deal in place for either McLaren junior driver to earn a 2019 race seat.

Dutchman Nyck De Vries stated recently that he had a deal with McLaren in place that if he out-peformed Lando Norris this year in the Formula 2 championship by winning it, he would earn a call-up for a race seat next season.

“That was literally said to me by director Zak Brown and it is in black and white. So I have it in my own hands,” De Vries claimed.

However, the other party to that apparent deal has quickly denied the rumours, saying there is no truth behind the claims of the junior driver.

“That is not an accurate reflection of the conversation but Nyck’s a very good driver.

“McLaren will always look to put the two best drivers that it can in the car and no one has any promises from McLaren verbally or contractually as to who is going to be in our car in 2019.

“We won’t comment on our contracts but I can tell you that no one has a guarantee to be in our seat for 2019, regardless of any race results.”