Highlander Lewis gets FIA slot 19 | 11 | 2011
TWO WEEKS AFTER testing a McLaren Formula One car at Silverstone, Highlander Lewis Williamson has been named as one of 18 drivers chosen for the prestigious 2012 FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.
The 22-year-old from Golspie, who this season was a race winner in GP3, the official F1 feeder series, joins young racing and rally stars from countries including USA, Germany, Australia, South Africa and Colombia.
"This is another major step in my carer development," Williamson, who this year raced with the MW Arden team owned by Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner and racer Mark Webber, said today.
"The competition for places in the elite squad was very, very competitive and from the 30 nominees it's fantastic to have come through all the tests and assessments and been selected."
Williamson, who has also worked behind the scenes with Red Bull this year on the F1 team's simulator to further develop the race cars of Webber and world champ Sebastien Vettel, is strongly tipped to follow fellow Scot Paul di Resta into grand prix racing.
Highlander Lewis gets McLaren F1 drive
"Obviously that's where I would like to finish up," Williamson, supported by an independent group of backers, Highland Arena, continued. "It's the pinnacle of world motorsport and the ambition of all young racing drivers.
"All I can do is keep working away at my development and hope I'm able to grab whatever opportunities come my way.
"The past three years have been very tough, but hugely exciting. Now I have to make sure I keep working away over the winter to ensure I'm the best I can be for the start of the 2012 season."
As part of the FIA Academy the Scot, who is expected to graduate to the Renault F3.5 World Series next year, will now attend a series of workshops — covering aspects such as technical driving skills, career management and racing psychology — over the next 12 months, beginning in Edinburgh in December.
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Jim McGill