Eleven years before Lando was born, Emanuele Pirro was McLaren’s test and reserve driver in the 1988 season in which the team dominated, winning fifteen of sixteen races and crowning Ayrton Senna World Champion.

Lando has just been appointed to the same test and reserve position in the McLaren team .

Pirro, five times Le Mans 24 Hour winner, is now an FIA steward and Driving Standards Officer, in charge at Macau .

Times have changed in 30 years.

“I spent three days every second week in Japan doing test miles for McLaren, “ Pirro said.

“The way F1 is designed now young guys like Lando don’t have the opportunity do drive as much as I did.”

Lando agrees. Given a choice between simulator and track he’ll take seat time anytime.

“For me the real advantage of being with McLaren back then was the access I had to Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, “ Emanuele said.

“They were always questioning themselves and always pushing for more.

“Their intensity was on another level.

“I hope it will be the same for Lando with Alonso.”

Norris and Pirro have met before.

“In the stewards room , “ said Emanuele, “ but not too often – Lando is one of the good guys.”

Can Norris , who has won every title he has entered in his relatively short career , convert his success to world championship status.

“he has the potential to achieve it “ said Emanuele.

“People keep growing until the last race of their career.”