F1 news: Dutch driver wants to join Max Verstappen at McLaren

Verstappen, 20, is the golden boy of Dutch motorsport.

The Red Bull star is tipped to be a future world champion and is gunning to claim that maiden title this year.

But he may not be the only Dutchman racing in 2019.

That is according to 23-year-old Formula 2 racer Nyck de Vries, who reckons he is now ready for the big time.

In order to get a place with F1 team McLaren he must beat Lando Norris to the F2 title.

"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 said.

"Lando has a certain preference because of his good relationship with Zak Brown.

“His father pays Brown to manage Lando. But if I live up to expectations this season, I will be in F1 in 2019.”

McLaren have their two drivers set in stone for the 2018 season, with Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne in the hot seats.

And while the team would likely keep Alonso for as long as the Spaniard wants to race, Belgian Vandoorne’s place is not guaranteed.

De Vries, from Sneek in the Netherlands, finished seventh in the 2017 F2 season.

The first race for 2018 starts on 7 April in Bahrain.