Stoffel Vandoorne joins McLaren Young Driver Programme

McLaren announced that 20-year-old Belgian racing driver Stoffel Vandoorne, the reigning Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Champion, has become an official member of McLaren’s Young Driver Programme.

Having won the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Championship in 2012, he will step up to compete in the Formula Renault 3.5 Championship this year, driving for the successful Fortec motorsports team.

Stoffel Vandoorne said: "I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected to be part of the McLaren Young Driver Programme. McLaren is one of the greatest names in global motorsport, and to be a part of the McLaren Young Driver Programme is an honour and a privilege which I fully intend to do my very best to maximise in terms of both learning and results for years to come. I’d therefore like to take this opportunity to say a big ’thank you’ to Martin Whitmarsh, and all at McLaren, for having shown faith in me in this way."

Martin Whitmarsh (Team Principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) added: "We’re delighted to announce that Stoffel is now part of the McLaren Young Driver Programme. He’s an able and ambitious young driver, and we have high hopes for him."