McLaren has added Pato O’Ward to its 2024 reserve pool, while Aston Martin has appointed Tina Huisman as head of its F1 academy.
McLaren –
The McLaren F1 Team today announced that Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team driver Pato O’Ward will join the F1 Reserve Drivers for the 2024 season. The 24-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico, started racing at the age of six and has been part of the McLaren Racing family since moving to Arrow McLaren in 2020. Pato took part in several of his MCL35M driver development tests, his test for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Young Drivers and he also drove practice 1 for the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Pato will join the team’s reserve driver pool in 2024 alongside his current driving duties at Arrow McLaren. Pato will take part in the first free practice session and post-season testing at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as part of further development under the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
McLaren F1 Team Team Principal Andrea Stella said“McLaren F1 Team is delighted to welcome Pato O’Ward to our reserve driver pool for the 2024 season.” said. He had an impressive season in the NTT IndyCar Series and performed well in driver development testing. Therefore, it makes sense for him to take the next step as he is now eligible for his FIA Super License. Given your extensive schedule, it’s a good idea to have a number of drivers available when you need them. I look forward to watching his progress in this new role. ”
McLaren F1 Reserve and Arrow McLaren Driver Pato O’Ward said: “I am excited to take on this new role within the McLaren Racing family.” I’ve spent a lot of time with his F1 team. Previously, I drove in free practice and took part in some tests. I’ve always said there’s never a bad day in an F1 car, so I’m looking forward to joining the reserve driver pool next year alongside my driving duties with Arrow McLaren. Thank you Andrea and Zach for this wonderful opportunity. ”
Aston Martin –
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team is proud to announce Tina Hausman as the 2024 F1 Academy Driver. Tina, from Zurich, Switzerland, will compete for PREMA Racing in the second season of the all-women’s series and will take part in her seven rounds in support of F1 racing. The 17-year-old will compete in specially designed Aston Martin livery, wearing the team’s iconic green jumpsuit.
Tina started her motorsport career in karting at the age of seven, where she quickly proved her skill and passion. He won his DKM and ADAC Masters championships in Germany with competitive performances in all junior categories including his Rotax Mini series in Switzerland and the OK Junior series.
Tina joined the F1 Academy grid after one year in F4. There she made her impressive debut by scoring her first podium in the Spanish Formula Winter Series after just a few days of racing and testing her car. Ta. Tina recently won her 2023 women’s category in the highly competitive Italian F4 Championship.
The team is also pleased to announce that Jessica Hawkins will expand her role with the team as Race Director for the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team at F1 Academy. Jessica joined the team as a driver ambassador in 2021 and she recently completed her first F1 test in Hungary, becoming the first woman to drive a modern F1 car in almost five years. Jessica will share her years of experience in motorsport and work closely with Tina to provide guidance and support on and off the track.
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Academy driver Tina Hausmann said: “Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Academy driver Tina Hausman said: “The F1 Academy is a great opportunity for me. It’s a great series and I’m proud to have been involved. I’ve learned a lot of things that will really help me as a driver, including the experience I’ll get by racing on seven new tracks in front of big crowds. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot. It’ll be a whole new world, but I’m really looking forward to getting started.
“It is a great honor to represent the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team in the series. My first day at the AMR Technology Campus showed me what a great team they are. I already feel very comfortable there. I feel it and I feel everyone’s support. Having Jessica Hawkins as my mentor is also a huge benefit. She has so much valuable advice to give. Inspiring the next generation of female riders. That is very important to both of us.
“I’m also very proud to be competing for PREMA Racing. PREMA is the team that every young driver wants to compete against. They’re the best at what they do. I am confident that they will help me grow as I continue in my career. I have a lot to look forward to and would like to thank everyone who has made this possible. ”
Jessica Hawkins, head of the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 team, head of racing and driver ambassador for the F1 Academy, said: “I have always enjoyed coaching young drivers, so I’m looking forward to it.” Help Tina embark on the next exciting phase of her motorsport career. I think the F1 Academy is a natural next step for her and I know from my experience that competing on the world stage will be beneficial for her in many ways. My goal is to support Tina throughout the year both on and off the course. This will be a steep learning curve for her, but I’m confident she will overcome it with flying colors. ”
PREMA Racing Team Principal René Rosin said“We are very pleased to announce Tina as our driver for the next series, bringing us one step closer to the 2024 season. ”. We have had great success with her first steps in F4 and with the support of our team, F1 Academy and Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team, we are committed to helping her become a top class candidate. I am confident that we will make further progress.
Here’s McLaren with Abu Dhabi GP livery
Here’s Aston Martin pair on Las Vegas GP
This is Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri talking about the Las Vegas GP incident
Lando Norris and Andrea Stella talk about the accident
[Note: Story corresponds to press release]
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