News_Stig Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Englishman Lewis Hamilton will drive for McLaren in Formula One next season. The 21-year-old, who is the current GP2 champion, will be the first black driver to race in Formula One. Hamilton, who won 15 out of the 20 races in the 2006 GP2 championship, said getting a drive with McLaren was "a dream come true". He faces the daunting prospect of partnering world champion Fernando Alonso, who will be making his McLaren debut after moving from Renault. Hamilton's appointment means Pedro de la Rosa will revert to a test driver for the team, alongside Gary Paffett. Hamilto will join the McLaren team next week as they prepare for the 2007 season at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. "To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ulimate goal for me since I was very young," Hamilton said in a team statement. "This opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me. "I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know there will be a lot of attention on me," he added. Hamilton, who joined for McLaren development programme at the age of 13, won the Formula Renault title in 2003 and the Formula 3 Euroseries in 2005. Source BBC News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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