MIKA BACKS LANDO'S HOPES OF GLORY

TWO-TIME McLaren title-winning hero Mika Hakkinen is "absolutely" convinced that Lando Norris will follow in his footsteps.

- DANIEL MOXON

Hakkinen won back-to-back championships in 1998-99 and only Lewis Hamilton has done so since while representing the Woking-based squad.

Norris, 25, finished as runner-up last year as Max Verstappen made it four titles in a row, 63 points behind the Dutchman.

But the Brit (left) enters the new season as the title favourite. And Hakkinen, 56, believes Norris is now rounded enough to live up to the billing.

"Absolutely, yes," the Finn replied when asked if Norris can claim the F1 crown.