The new programme aims to support development of new talent into top-level motorsport.
McLaren has announced the formation of the McLaren Driver Development programme, led by former McLaren test driver, F1 driver and Le Mans winner, Emanuele Pirro.
The programme will support drivers from karting to professional racing, with the aim of facilitating the progression of emerging talent into F1. Alongside this support for grassroot talent, the programme will also support established drivers in others series, providing them with opportunities to gain experience in F1.
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Not Just Formula 1 and Current Line Up
McLaren’s Driver Development programme will also support drivers in other racing series including Arrow McLaren Indycar, and the NEOM McLaren Formula E team, in either a race seat, or teat and development driver capacity.
The programme is formed of Arrow McLaren Indycar driver Pato O’Ward McLaren Formula 1 Driver Alex Palou and McLaren Young Driver Ugo Ugochukwu.
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What They Said..
McLaren has a long history of developing emerging talent into top-level racing drivers and I’m proud that will continue long into the future. We have an experienced team here at McLaren, who will be ably led by Emanuele, that are capable of providing the support and resources required to develop raw young talent into highly competitive professional racing drivers. 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. 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
Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO
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. An important asset for us are the IndyCar and Formula E teams, which will give extra opportunities for a professional career to our McLaren Driver Development members. 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.
Emanuele Pirro, Director, McLaren Driver Development programme
History of McLaren’s Driver Programme
Although, this is a new Driver Programme, McLaren has supported the careers of several young drivers including Stoffell Vandoorne, Oliver Rowland, Giedo van der Garde and Lewis Hamilton.
Arguably, the most successful of these drivers is Lewis Hamilton, who was spotted by then McLaren boss Ron Dennis, at the age of 13. Lewis would debut in Formula 1 for McLaren in 2007, racing with them until 2012. Lewis Hamilton would move to Mercedes in for the 2013 season, however the early support form McLaren helped to build the foundation in a record breaking career that continues to this day.
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