RUMOUR: McLaren decline Norris loan offer from Toro Rosso!

McLaren are rumoured to have declined a loan offer from Toro Rosso for British super talent Lando Norris, who was planned to replace Brendon Hartley at the Austrian Grand Prix next month, F1i reported.

Norris is currently leading the Formula 2 championship with Carlin, but he's contracted to McLaren as the reserve driver, in case either Fernando Alonso or Stoffel Vandoorne can't drive a race (or he can replace the struggling Vandoorne).

Alonso's chances of staying in F1 in the future seem to get smaller, as the Spaniard seems to be more interested in other racing categories like the IndyCar and the WEC. Vandoorne's future also looks all but certain with McLaren, which leaves Norris to make a logical promotion to man either seat of the Woking-based team.

Toro Rosso's reported plan with Norris was to plug the youngster into Brendon Hartley's seat, who Toro Rosso are planning to axe. Norris would drive from Austria onwards and was hoped to be there for the 2019-season as well.

Even if these rumours might turn out to be false, it does underline the pressure Hartley is currently under at Toro Rosso. Dr Helmut Marko is famously ruthless when it comes to axing talents, and the Kiwi might be his next target.