Lewis Hamilton, a 21-year-old Briton, will become Formula One’s first black driver when he joins world champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren next season.
Hamilton, regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, joins the British stable after winning this year’s GP2 series.
His arrival on the grid comes at the expense of Pedro de la Rosa, who raced for McLaren after Juan Pablo Montoya’s departure for the last eight races of 2006.
De la Rosa will return to testing duties for the 2007 season.
Hamilton, whose parents moved to Britain from Grenada in the 1950s, described the news as a dream come true.
”To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ultimate goal for me since I was very young and this opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me,” the son of a railway worker said.
It was at the age of 10 Hamilton first approached team principal Ron Dennis at an awards dinner and informed him he wanted to race for McLaren in Formula One.
Seduced by Hamilton’s enthusiasm, the youngster was inducted into the McLaren and Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Support Programme from its inception in 1998.
Hamilton showed his promise by winning the McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future karting series that year. He went on to dominate the 2003 British Formula Renault Championship, winning 10 of 15 races.
After winning the Formula Three Euro series in 2005, Hamilton followed up by becoming GP2 Series champion this year, leading to his first test for McLaren in September.
”I have grown up with McLaren and Mercedes and wouldn’t be where I am today without their continued support and guidance.
”However, I’m aware that this will be a challenge and I know that there will be a lot of attention on me.
”But the team has told me just to relax, do the best I can and enjoy the opportunity. I will work hard to get good results.”
Dennis is confident Hamilton will live up to his rich promise.
”Since 1998 Lewis has formed an important part of our long-term strategy, and we are pleased that we are able to help him take another step and achieve his dream of becoming a Formula One racing driver,” said Dennis.
He added: ”Pedro [de la Rosa] has done an outstanding job for us this season but we felt it was the right time to provide Lewis with this opportunity.
”It’s obviously going to be the biggest challenge of his career so far, but it’s one we are sure he will be able to meet.
”He is coming into the paddock for the first time as a Formula One racing driver and will have to familiarise himself with the pressures of a grand prix weekend.
”However, the confidence we have in Lewis’s abilities and talent is clear from our decision to give him the chance.” — AFP
