McLaren Driver Development Programme

Program to support young racing drivers through their careers

McLaren Driver Development Programme

Founded| 1998; 26 years ago (1998)
Base| McLaren Technology Centre
Woking, Surrey, England
Team principal(s)| Stephanie Carlin
Current drivers| WEC
Ryō Hirakawa
IndyCar
Pato O'Ward[1]
Formula 2
Alex Dunne
Martinius Stenshorne
FRECA
Ugo Ugochukwu[1]
Brando Badoer
F1 Academy
Bianca Bustamante
Ella Lloyd (2025)
Karting
Dries Van Langendonck

The McLaren Driver Development Programme, formerly known as the McLaren Young Driver Programme, is a driver development programme operated by McLaren. It is intended to offer year-by-year guidance, assistance and endorsement to help promising young racers climb the motorsport ladder. The program is managed by Stephanie Carlin, formerly of Carlin Motorsport.[2]

The most notable participant in the programme is Lewis Hamilton, who joined the programme while karting and eventually graduated to the McLaren F1 Team. He has won the Formula One Drivers' Championship seven times between 2008 and 2020, where the 2008 championship was won with McLaren. Hamilton is currently the only graduate from the programme who has won a World Drivers' Championship. The programme was also formerly known as the McLaren-Honda Young Driver Programme and the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Support Programme, reflecting engine deals with Honda and Mercedes, respectively.

As of 2024, nine programme drivers have graduated to Formula One, with four of those debuting directly with the McLaren F1 Team: Lewis Hamilton in 2007, Kevin Magnussen in 2014, Stoffel Vandoorne in 2016, and Lando Norris in 2019. Hamilton and Norris have won a Grand Prix race with the team.

## History

[edit]

The programme was founded in 1998 by McLaren and Mercedes as the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Support Programme. The programme notably signed Lewis Hamilton, Nick Heidfeld and Nicolas Minassian as some of its first drivers. From 2019 to 2021, no drivers were part of the program. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said this was due to the team's "very targeted" approach and already stable Formula One line-up, meaning it would be difficult for any young drivers to find a place in Formula One.[3][4]

In April 2023, the Young Driver Programme was replaced by the Driver Development Programme.[1] Later in October, the programme signed its first female driver in Bianca Bustamante, who will represent McLaren in the 2024 F1 Academy season.[5][6] In October 2024, the programme signed its second female driver in Ella Lloyd, who will represent McLaren in the 2025 F1 Academy season[7] in place of Bustamante, who will leave the series after completing her second season at the end of 2024.[8]

## Drivers

[edit]

### Current

[edit]

Driver  | Since  | Current series  | Titles as McLaren Driver Development Programme member

|
|
|

Ugo Ugochukwu[9] | 2021–  | Formula Regional Middle East Championship
Formula Regional European Championship
GB3 Championship | Euro 4 Championship (2023)
Pato O'Ward[1] | 2023–  | IndyCar Series
IMSA SportsCar Championship | None
Ryō Hirakawa[a][10] | 2023–  | FIA World Endurance Championship | FIA World Endurance Championship (2023)
Bianca Bustamante[5] | 2023–  | Formula Winter Series
F1 Academy
Euro 4 Championship
Italian F4 Championship | None
Alex Dunne[11] | 2024–  | FIA Formula 3 Championship | None
Martinius Stenshorne[11] | 2024–  | Formula Regional Middle East Championship
FIA Formula 3 Championship | None
Dries van Langendonck[12] | 2024–  | Karting  | None
Brando Badoer[13] | 2024–  | Formula Regional Middle East Championship
Formula Regional European Championship | None
Ella Lloyd[7] | 2024–  | Formula Winter Series
F4 British Championship
F1 Academy | None

### Former

[edit]

Driver  | Years  | Series competed | F1 team(s)

|
|
|

Wesley Graves[14][15] | 1998  | Karting (1998)  | None
Nicolas Minassian[14] | 1998  | International Formula 3000 Championship (1998)  | None
Norman Simon[14] | 1998  | German Formula Three Championship (1998)  | None
Ricardo Zonta[14] | 1998  | FIA GT Championship (1998)  | BAR (1999–2000)
Jordan (2001)
Toyota (2004–2005)
Nick Heidfeld[14] | 1998–1999  | International Formula 3000 Championship (1998–1999)  | Prost (2000)
Sauber (2001–2003; 2010)
Jordan (2004)
Williams (2005)
BMW Sauber (2006–2009)
Renault (2011)
Lewis Hamilton[16] | 1998–2006  | Karting (1998–2001)
British Formula Renault Championship (2002–2003)
Formula 3 Euro Series (2004–2005)
GP2 Series (2006)  | McLaren (2007–2012)
Mercedes (2013–2024)
Ferrari (2025–)
Mário Haberfeld[17] | 1999  | International Formula 3000 Championship (1999)  | None
Cheng Congfu[18] | 2003–2006  | British Formula Renault Championship (2003–2006)  | None
Giedo van der Garde | 2006  | Formula 3 Euro Series (2006)  | Caterham (2013)
Oliver Rowland | 2007–2010  | Karting (2007–2010)  | None
Alexander Albon | 2010  | Karting (2010)  | Toro Rosso (2019)
Red Bull Racing (2019–2020)
Williams (2022–)
Jack Harvey | 2010  | Formula BMW Europe (2010)  | None
Petri Suvanto[19] | 2010  | Formula BMW Europe (2010)  | None
Oliver Turvey | 2010–2011  | GP2 Series (2010–2011)  | None
Kevin Magnussen[16] | 2010–2013  | German Formula Three Championship (2010)
British Formula 3 International Series (2011)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2012–2013)  | McLaren (2014–2015)
Renault (2016)
Haas (2017–2020; 2022–2024)
Ben Barnicoat | 2010–2015  | Karting (2010–2013)
Formula Renault 2.0 NEC (2014)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2014–2015)  | None
Nyck de Vries[20] | 2010–2018  | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2012–2014)
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps (2013–2014)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2015)
GP3 Series (2016)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (2017–2018)  | Williams (2022)
AlphaTauri (2023)
Tom Blomqvist[21] | 2012  | FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2012)  | None
Andrew Tang[22] | 2012  | Karting (2012)  | None
Stoffel Vandoorne[16] | 2013–2016  | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2013)
GP2 Series (2014–2015)  | McLaren (2016–2018)
Nobuharu Matsushita[23] | 2015–2017  | GP2 Series (2015–2016)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (2017)  | None
Nirei Fukuzumi | 2016–2017  | GP3 Series (2016–2017)  | None
Lando Norris[24] | 2017–2018  | FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2017)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (2018)  | McLaren (2019–)
Sérgio Sette Câmara[25] | 2019  | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2019)  | None
Álex Palou[26][27] | 2023  | IndyCar Series (2023)  | None
Gabriel Bortoleto[28] | 2023–2024  | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2024)  | Sauber (2025–)

* Championship titles highlighted in bold.

## See also

[edit]

* McLaren Autosport BRDC Award
* McLaren GT Driver Academy

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Hirakawa is also a member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Driver Challenge

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "McLAREN ANNOUNCES NEW DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME". McLaren.com. McLaren.
2. ^ Gale, Ewan; Riberts, James (15 November 2024). "The unconventional route taken by McLaren's new academy chief". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
3. ^ van Osten, Phillip (24 December 2020). "Brown: Lack of McLaren young drivers due to 'different philosophy'". F1i.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
4. ^ Smith, Luke (23 December 2020). "McLaren sticking to "targeted" approach for F1 young driver programme". Autosport.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
5. ^ a b "McLaren sign F1 Academy's Bianca Bustamante as first female member of Driver Development Programme". Formula 1®. 18 October 2023. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
6. ^ "All 10 Formula 1 teams will have F1 Academy drivers and liveries for the 2024 season". F1® Academy. 26 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
7. ^ a b "Ella Lloyd to represent McLaren for the 2025 F1 Academy season". McLaren. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
8. ^ "Rules and Regulations". F1 Academy. Retrieved 15 October 2024. "Additionally, all drivers may only compete in two seasons of the series."
9. ^ "McLaren sign long-term deal with 13-year-old American karting ace Ugo Ugochukwu". www.formula1.com. 22 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
10. ^ Jogia, Saajan (22 September 2023). "F1 News: McLaren Takes on New Reserve Driver". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
11. ^ a b "FIA FORMULA 3 DRIVERS ALEX DUNNE AND MARTINIUS STENSHORNE JOIN McLAREN DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME". McLaren. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
12. ^ "2023 World Junior Karting Champion Dries Van Langendonck joins the McLaren Driver Development programme". www.mclaren.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
13. ^ "Brando Badoer joins McLaren Driver Development programme". www.mclaren.com. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
14. ^ a b c d e Noble, Jonathan. "Futures on Fast Forward". Atlas F1. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
15. ^ "Mclaren Sign Kart Drivers". Crash. 9 April 1998. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
16. ^ a b c "FAITH IN YOUTH: McLaren's young driver track record". Formula1.com. 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
17. ^ Bradley, Charles (25 December 2018). "The F1 test driver who now saves wild jaguars". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
18. ^ De Groote, Steven (6 August 2003). "McLaren signs Cheng Congfu". F1 Technical. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
19. ^ "McLaren tukee suomalaislupausta". sportti.com. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
20. ^ Wood, Elliot (6 May 2019). "Nyck de Vries' split with McLaren confirmed". Formula Scout. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
21. ^ "Stig's son joins McLaren". The Telegraph. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
22. ^ de Cotta, Ian (10 February 2014). "Tang wins big in New Zealand". Today Online.
23. ^ "2017 McLaren-Honda Young Driver Programme members revealed". McLaren Racing. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
24. ^ "Lando Norris joins McLaren F1 young driver programme". GP Today. 2017. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
25. ^ Wood, Elliot (9 March 2020). "Sergio Sette Camara leaves McLaren for return to Red Bull". Formula Scout. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
26. ^ Fryer, Jenna (28 July 2022). "IndyCar champ Palou declares he will be at McLaren in 2023". AP News. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
27. ^ Martin, Bruce (18 August 2023). "McLaren And Arrow McLaren File Lawsuit Against Alex Palou". Forbes. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
28. ^ Wood, Ida (5 October 2023). "McLaren signs Bortoleto as junior, makes Badoer an 'optioned driver'". Formula Scout. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.

* v
* t
* e

McLaren Racing

Personnel

Founder|

* Bruce McLaren

Ambassador|

* Mika Häkkinen

Current|

* Zak Brown (Chief Executive Officer)
* Andrea Stella (Team Principal)
* Rob Marshall
* Neil Oatley
* Peter Prodromou
* Tom Stallard

Former|

* Ben Agathangelou
* Giorgio Ascanelli
* John Barnard
* Bob Bell
* Matt Bishop
* Éric Boullier
* Marcin Budkowski
* Adrian Burgess
* Alastair Caldwell
* Jost Capito
* Bernadette Collins
* Gordon Coppuck
* Mike Coughlan
* Peter Crolla
* Gil de Ferran
* Luca Furbatto
* Ron Dennis
* Henri Durand
* Mike Elliott
* Pat Fry
* Tim Goss
* Mark Gillan [ja]
* Steve Hallam
* Norbert Haug
* Robin Herd
* Jürgen Hubbert
* John Iley
* James Key
* Simon Lacey
* Werner Laurenz
* Paddy Lowe
* Neil Martin
* Teddy Mayer
* Sam Michael
* Paul Monaghan
* Matt Morris
* Gordon Murray
* Jonathan Neale
* Adrian Newey
* Steve Nichols
* Mansour Ojjeh
* Ciaron Pilbeam
* Mark Preston
* Phil Prew [ja]
* Jo Ramírez
* Dave Redding
* Simon Roberts
* Dave Ryan
* David Sanchez
* Wolfgang Schattling
* Andreas Seidl
* Mark Slade
* Rob Taylor
* Nikolas Tombazis
* Hans-Ulrich Maik
* Joan Villadelprat
* Mark Williams
* Martin Whitmarsh

Drivers

Current drivers|

* 4\.  Lando Norris
* 81\.  Oscar Piastri

Reserve drivers|

* Pato O'Ward
* Ryō Hirakawa

Test and development drivers|

* Oliver Turvey
* Will Stevens

Driver Development Programme|

* Pato O'Ward
* Ryō Hirakawa
* Gabriel Bortoleto
* Bianca Bustamante
* Ugo Ugochukwu
* Alex Dunne
* Martinius Stenshorne
* Dries Van Langendonck
* Brando Badoer
* Ella Lloyd

F1 World Champions|

* Emerson Fittipaldi
* Lewis Hamilton
* James Hunt
* Mika Häkkinen
* Niki Lauda
* Alain Prost
* Ayrton Senna

Race winners|

* Bruce McLaren
* Denny Hulme
* Peter Revson
* Emerson Fittipaldi
* Jochen Mass
* James Hunt
* John Watson
* Niki Lauda
* Alain Prost
* Ayrton Senna
* Gerhard Berger
* David Coulthard
* Mika Häkkinen
* Kimi Räikkönen
* Juan Pablo Montoya
* Fernando Alonso
* Lewis Hamilton
* Heikki Kovalainen
* Jenson Button
* Daniel Ricciardo
* Lando Norris
* Oscar Piastri

Former drivers|

* See category

Formula One titles

Drivers' titles|

* 1974
* 1976
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1998
* 1999
* 2008

Constructors' titles|

* 1974
* 1984
* 1985
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1998
* 2024

Cars

Formula One|

* M2B
* M4B
* M5A
* M7A
* M7B
* M7C
* M7D
* M9A
* M14A
* M14D
* M19A
* M19C
* M23
* M26
* M28
* M29
* M29B
* M29C
* M29F
* M30
* MP4 (MP4/1)
* MP4B (MP4/1B)
* MP4/1C
* MP4/1E
* MP4/2
* MP4/2B
* MP4/2C
* MP4/3
* MP4/4
* MP4/5
* MP4/5B
* MP4/6
* MP4/6B
* MP4/7A
* MP4/8
* MP4/9
* MP4/10
* MP4/10B
* MP4/10C
* MP4/11
* MP4/11B
* MP4/12
* MP4/13
* MP4/14
* MP4/15
* MP4-16
* MP4-17
* MP4-17D
* MP4-19
* MP4-19B
* MP4-20
* MP4-21
* MP4-22
* MP4-23
* MP4-24
* MP4-25
* MP4-26
* MP4-27
* MP4-28
* MP4-29
* MP4-30
* MP4-31
* MCL32
* MCL33
* MCL34
* MCL35
* MCL35M
* MCL36
* MCL60
* MCL38

Formula Two|

* M4A
* M21

Sports cars|

* Zerex Special
* M1A
* M1B
* M1C
* M6A
* M6B
* M6GT
* M8A
* M8B
* M8C
* M8D
* M8E
* M8F
* M8FP
* M12
* M20
* F1 GTR
* 12C GT3
* 650S GT3
* P1 GTR

USAC/IndyCar|

* M15
* M16A
* M16B
* M16C
* M16C/D
* M16E
* M24

F5000/Libre|

* M3
* M10A
* M10B
* M18
* M22
* M25

Development cars|

* M2A
* MP4-18
* MP4-29H/1X1

Related

* Arrow McLaren
* Project Four Racing
* West Competition

* v
* t
* e

Driver development programs

Formula One|

* Alpine Academy
* AMF1 Driver Development Programme
* Ferrari Driver Academy
* Haas Driver Development Programme
* McLaren Driver Development Programme
* Mercedes Junior Team
* Red Bull Junior Team
* Sauber Academy
* Williams Driver Academy

Sportscar racing|

* McLaren GT Driver Academy
* SMP Racing

Marque aligned|

* Porsche Junioren
* Reiter Young Stars
* Citroën Junior Team
* Drivers Edge Development
* Honda Formula Dream Project
* TGR-DC Racing School

Country aligned|

* FFSA Academy
* Racing Steps Foundation
* Team USA Scholarship

Other|

* Escudería Telmex
* KCMG Driver Development Project

Satellite team
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template