The McLaren Formula 1 team has signed a long-term agreement with 13-year-old karter Ugo Ugochukwu that includes an ‘option on his services’ in the future.
American teenager Ugochukwu became an FIA European karting champion last year, winning the OK Junior class while a part of Sauber’s karting team.
He has stepped up to the senior OK category for the 2021 season.
McLaren says its agreement with Ugochukwu includes having “an option on Ugo’s services in the future, while supporting his development and evolution as he progresses through the junior categories of motorsport”.
CEO Zak Brown said McLaren had “no hesitation” in seizing the opportunity to sign an agreement when Ugochukwu became available.
“Now we’ll focus on giving Ugo the right support when he needs it to help him fulfil his potential,” said Brown.
McLaren’s most famous protege, Lewis Hamilton, made his debut in F1 with the team in 2007, won the 2008 world title, and has since become the championship’s most successful driver in history.
But the team has had little representation in junior categories since then.
McLaren’s most recent official junior driver was Sergio Sette Camera (pictured below), who became a ‘development driver’ in 2019 – the year Lando Norris, another McLaren protege, stepped up to F1 with the team.
Signing Ugochukwu, who is managed by the same group as Norris, appears to signal McLaren’s intent to pick up younger drivers again.
Team boss Andreas Seidl added: “Ugo is a promising young talent with strong development prospects.
“While he is still early in his career, it is clear he has the ingredients to be successful in the sport.
“This signing reflects our refocused approach to identifying and supporting new talent, away from a formal young driver programme to a more tailored basis.”
Ugochukwu said being supported by McLaren is “what any young driver dreams of”.
“I’m focused right now on developing as a driver and racer, so having McLaren by my side can only help me on and off the track,” he said.
