Has McLaren found its successor to Lando Norris?

McLaren has added an 11-year-old to its growing pool of Academy drivers as it targets the next British superstar.

The Woking-based team has signed 2025 British Open karting champion Harry Williams as it seeks to find 'the next Lando Norris' after the 26-year-old clinched his maiden F1 title last season.

Williams is a driver on the rise after starting in karts when he was six. This year, after so far competing in the WSK Super Master Series in the OK-Junior category, he will also race in the WSK Euro Series, Champions of the Future Series and the FIA Karting Championships.

Hailing Williams as "a fantastic karter", McLaren chief business affairs officer Alessandro Alunni Bravi said: "Harry has impressed on the national and international stage so far, so we are excited to see how he develops as a McLaren driver going forward. 

"Our goal is to build a consistent pipeline, laddering into our race programmes in F1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship for many years to come, and adding Harry as a talented young karter demonstrates this. Welcome to the team, Harry."

Williams joins a roster of Academy drivers that includes Christian Costoya, Matteo De Palo, Leonardo Fornaroli, Ella Häkkinen, Ella Lloyd, Pato O’Ward, Grégoire Saucy, Ella Stevens, Dries Van Langendonck and Richard Verschoor.

"I am really excited to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme," said Williams. "They’re known for developing talent, so it’s great to join the team as I continue to progress in karting and into single-seater racing in the future. I look forward to learning from the team, and thank them for this exciting opportunity."