British driver Tom Blomqvist has joined McLaren's Driver Development Program, the British squad said on Wednesday. The 18-year-old, son of 1984 World Rally Champion Stig, had a race-winning season in the German F3 Cup. McLaren's program also includes Dutch karting racer Nyck De Vries and British F3 runner-up Kevin Magnussen.
"I'm thrilled to get this opportunity with McLaren," said Blomqvist. "The competition gets fiercer every time you step up a category, and having this level of support will really improve my strength and confidence."
The British driver finished in sixth place in the German F3 series last year after scoring one win and four podiums.
"Tom is rightly considered to be a very bright prospect in single-seater racing," said team boss Martin Whitmarsh. "Tom is also now a member of the McLaren Young Driver Program. On-track results are the ultimate measurements of a driver's merit, and in this regard Tom is already delivering on his potential.
"As a winner of the Formula Renault Championship, he's following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton, who passed this career milestone just three years before graduating to Formula 1 with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. We're therefore watching Tom's progress with great interest."