McLaren Announces Formula One Driver Development Program

As Formula One continues its rapid growth in international popularity from corporations and fans, interest is keen among the teams in discovering great talent.

McLaren Racing hopes to find the next great driver by forming the McLaren Driver Development program, led by former McLaren test driver, Formula One driver and Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro.

McLaren will support young drivers in their development from karting to professional racing with the goal of helping that talent emerge into F1. The program will also support established professional drivers in other series with the opportunity to gain experience in F1.

“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,” McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said. “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 One, 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 O’Ward, Alex Palou and Ugo Ugochukwu, and I’m excited to continue supporting their development as we start to build the McLaren Driver Development program.”

The program creates a potential talent pipeline for the McLaren F1 team, Arrow McLaren IndyCar and the NEOM McLaren Formula E team in either a race seat, test, or development driver capacity.

“I am thrilled by this assignment for several reasons,” Pirro explained. “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 program, 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.”

The McLaren Driver Development Program currently consists of Arrow McLaren IndyCar drivers Pato O’Ward, McLaren Formula One Reserve Driver Alex Palou and McLaren young driver, Ugo Ugochukwu.

“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,” Pirro continued. “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 program. I am grateful to Zak Brown and Andrea Stella for giving me this great opportunity.”

McLaren Racing was founded by racing driver Bruce McLaren 60 years ago in 1963. The team entered its first Formula One race in 1966. McLaren has since won 20 Formula One world championships, 183 Formula One grands prix, the Indianapolis 500 three times, and the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt.

McLaren Racing competes across five racing series. In 2023, the team will compete in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.