McLaren has announced the formation of its official driver development programme, which will be led by five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro.
McLaren has a lengthy history of guiding young drivers through junior motorsport programmes but its portfolio has expanded in recent years, with the addition of a full-time IndyCar team and Formula E squad.
The driver development squad will support young drivers in their path from karting to professional racing and will now also support established professional drivers with opportunities to gain Formula 1 experience.
McLaren confirmed that 2021 IndyCar champion Alex Palou and its current IndyCar racer Pato O’Ward feature in the programme, along with youngster Ugo Ugochukwu.
Palou and O’Ward have both tested McLaren Formula 1 machinery in private test days and they each represented the team during a free practice session in the 2022 season.
“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,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown.
“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.”
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