{"id":1899653,"date":"2026-04-23T12:38:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899653"},"modified":"2026-04-23T12:38:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:38:11","slug":"british-karting-star-eclipses-lewis-hamilton-as-mclarens-youngest-ever-driver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899653","title":{"rendered":"British karting star eclipses Lewis Hamilton as McLaren\u2019s youngest-ever driver"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>British karting star eclipses Lewis Hamilton as McLaren\u2019s youngest-ever driver<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>McLaren has added a British karting talent to its driver development pool.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-23T13:38:11+01:00\">23 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Harry Williams is McLaren&#8217;s youngest-ever driver<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>McLaren has made 11-year-old Harry Williams its youngest-ever addition to its driver development programme.<\/p>\n<p>The British karting prodigy is two years younger than Lewis Hamilton was when he joined McLaren\u2019s junior roster aged 13 in 1998.<\/p>\n<p>Seven-time world champion Hamilton made his F1 debut at the age of 22 in 2007 and won his maiden world championship with McLaren a year later.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He has gone on to become the most successful product of McLaren\u2019s young driver programme.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am really excited to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme,\u201d Williams, who heralds from Cheshire, said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re known for developing talent, so it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Williams started karting in 2021 in the Super One Series and graduated to the Cadet category in 2022. After signing to Fusion Motorsport, he went on to compete at national and international-level championships in 2023.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c15d29d81ecd68c8c872926ab7b8def83b9ee5fb6064386cc34fd8cd8437f38f\">  How much slower will the cars be under revised F1 2026 rules?   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The following year, Williams secured a top-10 championship in the British IAME Inter Waterswift category while continuing on the international karting scene.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Williams is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Hamilton and Norris<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In 2025, Williams became the British Open Champion, O plate winner in the Italian Waterswift Series and finished fifth in the European Waterswift Championship.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-7d76146a1f9d58b0eb1f66376fba2d7fe04a31565dc6143b52dbfd3045298010\">  McLaren takes aim at Mercedes-Alpine links in fresh A\/B team warning   Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Having switched classes to juniors, Williams immediately impressed by finishing third in the SK Final Cup in OKN-J. In 2026, he has so far contested the WSK Super Master Series in the OK-Junior category.<\/p>\n<p>Williams will also compete in the WSK Euro Series, Champions of the Future Series and the FIA Karting Championships in the same category.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are very pleased to have signed Harry to the McLaren Driver Development Programme,\u201d said Alessandro Aluni Bravi, McLaren\u2019s chief business affairs officer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHarry is a fantastic karter who has impressed on the national andinternational stage so far, so we are excited to see how he develops as a McLaren driver going forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">McLaren<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Lewis Hamilton<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Why Toto Wolff is critical of &#8216;unenjoyable&#8217; Kimi Antonelli-Senna F1 comparisons<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404056_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> F1 Miami Grand Prix: 2026 rule tweaks prompt significant FP1 change<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1343016_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-acf62b3c3199752bb0ec1166e826cccd908ad6973704572f02951a92c08ca69b\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-7c4c28a00039d616b9a025c73f4924decdfc0504180bf8ac278b253a650ac4be\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The first driver verdict on F1\u2019s attempts to fix 2026 rule problems<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776881511\"> 21h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404673_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Piastri has backed F1's 2026 rule tweaks\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McLaren tease \u201centirely new MCL40\u201d car for North American F1 races<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776879320\"> 21h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268730713.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"McLaren will bring a substantial upgrade package to Miami and Montreal\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ferrari\u2019s \u2018Macarena v2&#8242; rear wing spotted during Monza filming day<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776867380\"> 22\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1400982_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Ferrari ran the innovative rear wing in practice \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris reveals what would &#8216;mean more than winning an F1 championship&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776856757\"> 22\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403798_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lando Norris, McLaren Racing, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris reveals chats with golf superstar helped him conquer F1 demons<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776767366\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris triumphed to win his maiden world title last year\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris honoured with prestigious sports award on star-studded night<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776761805\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1402816_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris won his maiden F1 world title in 2025\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>McLaren has added a British karting talent to its driver development pool.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>McLaren has made 11-year-old Harry Williams its youngest-ever addition to its driver development programme.<\/p>\n<p>The British karting prodigy is two years younger than Lewis Hamilton was when he joined McLaren\u2019s junior roster aged 13 in 1998.<\/p>\n<p>Seven-time world champion Hamilton made his F1 debut at the age of 22 in 2007 and won his maiden world championship with McLaren a year later.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He has gone on to become the most successful product of McLaren\u2019s young driver programme.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am really excited to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme,\u201d Williams, who heralds from Cheshire, said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re known for developing talent, so it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Williams started karting in 2021 in the Super One Series and graduated to the Cadet category in 2022. After signing to Fusion Motorsport, he went on to compete at national and international-level championships in 2023.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c15d29d81ecd68c8c872926ab7b8def83b9ee5fb6064386cc34fd8cd8437f38f\">  How much slower will the cars be under revised F1 2026 rules?   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The following year, Williams secured a top-10 championship in the British IAME Inter Waterswift category while continuing on the international karting scene.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Williams is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Hamilton and Norris<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In 2025, Williams became the British Open Champion, O plate winner in the Italian Waterswift Series and finished fifth in the European Waterswift Championship.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-7d76146a1f9d58b0eb1f66376fba2d7fe04a31565dc6143b52dbfd3045298010\">  McLaren takes aim at Mercedes-Alpine links in fresh A\/B team warning   Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Having switched classes to juniors, Williams immediately impressed by finishing third in the SK Final Cup in OKN-J. In 2026, he has so far contested the WSK Super Master Series in the OK-Junior category.<\/p>\n<p>Williams will also compete in the WSK Euro Series, Champions of the Future Series and the FIA Karting Championships in the same category.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are very pleased to have signed Harry to the McLaren Driver Development Programme,\u201d said Alessandro Aluni Bravi, McLaren\u2019s chief business affairs officer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHarry is a fantastic karter who has impressed on the national andinternational stage so far, so we are excited to see how he develops as a McLaren driver going forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>McLaren has made 11-year-old Harry Williams its youngest-ever addition to its driver development programme.<\/p>\n<p>The British karting prodigy is two years younger than Lewis Hamilton was when he joined McLaren\u2019s junior roster aged 13 in 1998.<\/p>\n<p>Seven-time world champion Hamilton made his F1 debut at the age of 22 in 2007 and won his maiden world championship with McLaren a year later.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He has gone on to become the most successful product of McLaren\u2019s young driver programme.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am really excited to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme,\u201d Williams, who heralds from Cheshire, said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re known for developing talent, so it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Williams started karting in 2021 in the Super One Series and graduated to the Cadet category in 2022. After signing to Fusion Motorsport, he went on to compete at national and international-level championships in 2023.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c15d29d81ecd68c8c872926ab7b8def83b9ee5fb6064386cc34fd8cd8437f38f\">  How much slower will the cars be under revised F1 2026 rules?   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The following year, Williams secured a top-10 championship in the British IAME Inter Waterswift category while continuing on the international karting scene.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-8.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Williams is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Hamilton and Norris<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In 2025, Williams became the British Open Champion, O plate winner in the Italian Waterswift Series and finished fifth in the European Waterswift Championship.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-7d76146a1f9d58b0eb1f66376fba2d7fe04a31565dc6143b52dbfd3045298010\">  McLaren takes aim at Mercedes-Alpine links in fresh A\/B team warning   Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Having switched classes to juniors, Williams immediately impressed by finishing third in the SK Final Cup in OKN-J. In 2026, he has so far contested the WSK Super Master Series in the OK-Junior category.<\/p>\n<p>Williams will also compete in the WSK Euro Series, Champions of the Future Series and the FIA Karting Championships in the same category.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are very pleased to have signed Harry to the McLaren Driver Development Programme,\u201d said Alessandro Aluni Bravi, McLaren\u2019s chief business affairs officer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHarry is a fantastic karter who has impressed on the national andinternational stage so far, so we are excited to see how he develops as a McLaren driver going forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1093315\/1\/british-karting-star-eclipses-lewis-hamilton-mclarens-youngest-ever-driver&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/harry-williams-17.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] British karting star eclipses Lewis Hamilton as McLaren\u2019s youngest-ever driver McLaren has added a British karting talent to its driver development pool. Lewis Larkam 23 Apr 2026 Share Harry Williams is McLaren&#8217;s youngest-ever driver Add as a preferred source McLaren has made 11-year-old Harry Williams its youngest-ever addition to its driver development [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1899653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1899653"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899653\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1899653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1899653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1899653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}