Photo: GP3 Media Service
GP3 champion Alex Lynn has signed a deal with Williams to become a development driver for the Formula 1 team.
The 21-year-old will race in GP2 this year for DAMS, and his Williams move means a departure from the Red Bull Junior Team after one year. His first formal F1 role comes after making his test debut with Lotus in Abu Dhabi last November.
His new role will mostly involve simulator work, but he will get to spend a day in the 2015 car in the test that follows the Spanish Grand Prix in May.
Lynn said he hoped to use this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of another GP3 champion, Valtteri Bottas.
?I am extremely excited to be joining Williams, a team with such incredible history and amazing potential,” he said.
“I hope that with a strong year in GP2, while also helping to develop the F1 car throughout this season, I can follow in the footsteps of Valtteri Bottas who joined the Williams team in exactly the same Development Driver role. Through hard work and determination, he has gone from winning the GP3 title to earning his place as a Williams F1 race driver.
“Working with people like Sir Frank Williams and Pat Symonds is an incredible opportunity for me. There is so much experience here at Williams and I hope to be able to use the knowledge gained from these people to further develop my skills as a racing driver and respected member of this team.
“Everyone has been incredibly welcoming from the outset, we have hit the ground running and I am very excited about the challenges this role offers ? particularly my on track activities driving the FW37 in a few months time.?
Deputy team principal Claire Williams said: “Williams has a strong track record in bringing young talent though the ranks and our Development Driver position is designed to fully immerse new recruits into the inner workings of a Formula 1 team.
“As a British team we are always on the lookout for emerging home-grown talent and Alex has caught our eye with his impressive performances in GP3. He has been chosen on merit and we are confident that alongside Felipe, Valtteri and Susie, Alex will help play an important role in making sure that the FW37 shows continuous improvement over the course of the 2015 season.”