McLaren sign karting champ to young driver programme
Anthony Hamilton's driver management firm (right) will manage de Vries from now on
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By Alistair Potter. |  |
Friday, 22, Jan 2010 12:22
By Adam Leveridge
The 2009 World Series Karting champion Nyck de Vries has been signed up to McLaren's young driver programme.
De Vries, 14, turned heads at the McLaren team when he won German, European and World KF3 titles in 2009.
The young Dutchman will be managed by the Hamilton Management Group, which is run by Anthony Hamilton - the father of McLaren driver Lewis.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said he remains committed to the development of young talent and he expressed excitement at the prospect of having De Vries onboard.
"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," said Whitmarsh.
"Nyck appears to be a very exciting prospect and we are looking forward to assisting his junior career, providing him with the support and training he requires to succeed."
Anthony Hamilton added: "Nyck is an extremely promising youngster. His father Hendrik has been fantastically supportive of Nyck's career and has been instrumental in raising him up to not just be a great young racing driver but also a fine young man.
"Together we both believe that, with the right level of support, we can take his career to the highest level."
Anthony will work with Dino Chiesa, who previously ran Lewis and Nico Rosberg in Team MBM, and will run De Vries in an Italian karting championship.
"We believe this is a very exciting and dynamic partnership," Hamilton added.
De Vries said he is honoured to be part of the McLaren young driver programme and he believes the partnership will ensure he has the best chance of reaching the top flight of motorsport.
"My visit to the McLaren Technology Centre has been a fantastic experience and I am very honoured and grateful for the support of McLaren in helping to develop my career," said De Vries.
"The resources they have are incredible and I believe they'll be able to provide me with the perfect framework for improving my skills, my fitness and my motorsport experience."