YOUNG DRIVER PROGRAMME

The McLaren Young Driver Support Programme was set up in 1998, in order to provide a structured environment for nurturing and developing future driver talent.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “McLaren has a long-held commitment to assisting young talent – we believe it’s part of the responsibility of the motor racing community to encourage and nurture junior racers, and we are committed to doing just that.

As well as providing financial and technical backing, the programme provides professional advice to up and coming racing drivers and has seen a number of its proteges reach the pinnacle of their motorsport career - Formula 1. This includes current Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

In January 2010 Nick de Vries joined fellow Young Drivers - Oliver Rowland and Oliver Turvey.