Lando Norris said it will be "a big challenge" for himself and for McLaren to adapt when Oscar Piastri replaces Daniel Ricciardo at the end of the season.
The Brit will have a new team-mate in 2023 when Piastri links up with McLaren. Last year's F2 champion will be racing in Formula 1 for the first time, after quitting Alpine to defect to their midfield rivals.
The legal battle over his future has now been resolved, and he was officially announced as Ricciardo's replacement by the team on Friday. Speaking after qualifying seventh for the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris revealed his reaction to Sky Sports.
He smirked when he was told "you've seen off one Australian, now another one is coming in", before adding: "I don't think it's a big change, I'll just keep doing what I am doing. I am confident and happy in the place I am.
"I look forward to working with someone new – it's always different, you have to talk in different ways and understand each other differently. It's also going to be a big challenge for me, a new challenge for me and the whole team.
"I don't actually know Oscar too well – I've only spoken to him twice ever, I would say. But he's obviously a good driver and I look forward to it, though that's half a year away."
He went on to heap praise upon the outgoing Aussie Ricciardo, who is being let go a year early amid his struggles but who has continued to apply himself regardless. "From what I've seen my whole life, you understand when someone is putting effort into it or if they don't care – Daniel still tries to understand it all," Norris added.
"He is putting in the time and effort into going quicker, and so on. Everyone is still motivated – Daniel is probably even more motivated than ever to end on a high with the team, because that's what you want to do as a driver, you want to prove yourself.
"It's still good, the mechanics are loving it and the team is still energised. When you're running for P10 and P12 it's not what you want, but there are still some glimpses of 'this is where we can be if we just do some little things better', and I'm confident in the future we can do that."
