McLaren reveal new youth programme led by SURPRISE F1 star
McLaren reveal new youth programme led by SURPRISE F1 star
McLaren has announced an all-new Driver Development programme, led by ex-Formula 1 driver Emanuele Pirro.
The programme plans to build young drivers’ careers from karting to professional racing, to keep a steady stream of emerging talent flowing into Formula 1.
McLaren also noted that the scheme plans to support the Formula 1 aspirations of existing drivers from other series.
Team principal and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said of the plan: “With McLaren’s wide racing portfolio across Formula 1, IndyCar and Formula E, we’re well placed to help develop young talent from the very start of their careers all the way through to full-time racing or test and development roles."
The team’s former system has already helped drivers to become great – most notably Lewis Hamilton, now a seven-time world champion, who was signed to the former young driver programme aged 13.
The new programme plans to build a ‘talent pipeline’ for the McLaren Formula 1 Team, Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team and the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.
The scheme currently includes Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, Formula 1 reserve driver Alex Palou and young driver Ugo Ugochukwu.
Brown added: “We already have an exciting stable of talent, featuring Pato, Alex and Ugo, and I’m excited to continue supporting their development as we start to build the McLaren Driver Development programme.”
Learning from the best
Pirro, a former McLaren test driver, Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner, will lead the programme.
He said: “I am thrilled by this assignment for several reasons. McLaren played a crucial role in my career by giving me the opportunity to earn an F1 drive and to elevate myself to a higher level by working alongside Senna, Prost and Berger.
“Together with my team, my role will assist in creating a state-of-the-art programme, selecting the best possible drivers and providing them with all the tools they need to make the best use of their talent.
“Furthermore, embed them in the McLaren mission, vision and values and hopefully, have one of them progress to the F1 team.”
He spoke of his passion for helping young talent, adding: “I love working with young drivers and helping them grow and improve. Every time I did it in the past has been an enriching experience and I look forward to doing it again.
“McLaren has an amazing history in F1. It means a lot to me, and I am hugely proud to be part of this programme. I am grateful to Zak Brown and Andrea Stella for giving me this great opportunity."
READ MORE: Top F1 teams set to battle for young Brazilian racing SENSATION
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
2024 Sprint changes show F1 is listening to fix imperfect format
- 6 minutes ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix: Full track layout for Shanghai International Circuit
- 36 minutes ago
Alonso hints at F1 retirement date after historic contract
- 1 hour ago
Marko reveals 'unbeatable' Sainz contract offer after confirming talks
- 2 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: F1 record holder claims changes made things tougher for Verstappen
- 3 hours ago
Ricciardo SNUBS team-mate in 'pressure' claim
- Today 17:57
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
-
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
Max Verstappen
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
- GP CANADA 7 - 9 Jun
Related news
F1 star reveals how Verstappen and Hamilton rivalry influenced key decision
Norris reveals CRUCIAL save that kept him at McLaren
F1 star hints future Ferrari move after Hamilton influence
McLaren reveal SECOND key F1 departure within week
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860