McLaren adds 13-year-old talent to its Driver Development programme
Formula One's Woking-based outfit, McLaren Racing have announced that 2023 World Junior Karting Champion Dries Van Langendonck has joined the McLaren Driver Development programme.
The 13-year-old from Heusden-Zolder, Belgium is a promising young racer with multiple karting accolades to his name, including the 2023 WSK Final Cup. He recently finished second in the 2024 Super Masters Series with two podiums and a victory from four races.
Van Langendonck has impressed in the OK-Junior category of the 2024 FIA Karting European Championship, securing victories on two occasions in Valencia and at the Slovakia Ring as well as a second-placed finish at the Val d'Argenton in France.
He saw the Chequered Flag at Round 4 of the Champions of the Future in Sweden and is currently leading the COTF Championship.
Led by F1 Business Operations Director, Stephanie Carlin, the McLaren Driver Development programme will see Van Langendonck join the team’s talent pipeline at the first step where he will receive support in his development from karting to professional racing driver.
Speaking of the new signing, McLaren's Director of F1 Business Operations, Stephanie Carlin said: “I’m pleased to welcome Dries to the McLaren Driver Development programme.
"He has shown huge potential during his karting career and impressed massively in this season’s FIA Karting European Championship. We will now be working closely throughout Dries’ development as he takes the first step in our talent pipeline and joins the McLaren family.”
Commenting on his signing, Dries Van Langendonck added: “It feels amazing to join the McLaren Driver Development programme. I have been working hard on track to maximise my performances this year and McLaren will now provide great support to take me to the next level.
"It’s an honour to be part of the papaya family and I’m focused on continuing my development under the guidance of Stephanie and the McLaren Driver Development team.”
