The McLaren Driver Development Programme , formerly known as the McLaren
Young Driver Programme , is a driver development programme operated by
McLaren. It is intended to offer year-by-year guidance, assistance and
endorsement to help promising young racers climb the motorsport ladder. The
programme was also formerly known as the McLaren-Honda Young Driver
Programme and the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Support Programme ,
reflecting engine deals with Honda and Mercedes, respectively.
The most notable participant in the programme is Lewis Hamilton, who joined
the programme while karting and eventually graduated to the McLaren F1 Team.