McLaren sign up Sergio Sette Camara to Young Driver Programme

Former Red Bull Junior Team member Sergio Sette Camara will return to the Formula 1 fold next season after McLaren confirmed his role as their Test and Development Driver for 2019.

The Brazilian, who has had a taste of F1 machinery before when he tested for Toro Rosso at Silverstone back in 2016, has joined the McLaren Young Driver Programme, and will work closely with the team as part of his position.

Sette Camara, 20, is currently driving in Formula 2 and will support a familiar face at the Woking squad, as his current Carlin team mate Lando Norris makes the step up from his McLaren reserve role to an F1 race seat with the team next year.

“It’s my dream to one day become a Formula 1 driver, and I’d like to thank McLaren for giving me this incredible opportunity,” said Sette Camara.

“My aim is to integrate myself in the team and work as closely with them as possible; to listen, learn and help to develop as a driver, as well as support McLaren.”

Sette Camara joins a familiar list of racers to have featured in McLaren’s Young Driver Programme over the years, including current F1 stars Lewis Hamilton, Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne.

McLaren’s Sporting Director Gil de Ferran added: “We’re delighted to welcome Sergio to McLaren and our Young Driver Programme. We’ve been following his progress for some time and believe he is a promising young talent with a real potential.

“We’re looking forward to working with him to develop his skills as a well-rounded driver, while having him support our racing operations.”

Sette Camara currently sits sixth in the Formula 2 drivers’ standings, with just one race of the season in Abu Dhabi remaining. Before embarking on F2 in 2017, he competed in the Formula 3 European Championship, Toyota Racing Series and Formula 3 Brasil.