Highlander Lewis tests F1 McLarenposted in MSPOR07 | 11 | 2011
SCOTLAND'S MOST PROMISING young racing star, Golspie's Lewis Williamson, took another major step towards a seat in Formula One when he tested a McLaren-Mercedes F1 car at Silverstone.
The 21-year-old Highlander completed a full programme of testing in miserable, tricky and wet conditions at the Northamptonshire circuit today.
Driving the MP4-23A chassis which namesake Lewis Hamilton used to win the 2008 British Grand Prix, the Scot's mature performance, despite being his first time driving an F1 car, left the McLaren team impressed.
"Lewis did an excellent job in very tricky, slippery conditions," team boss Dave Robson explained. "He did everything asked of him and, to be honest, actually a lot more."
Williamson, the current McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year and who competed in GP3 — the F1-feeder series — with MW Arden this year, was delighted with his performance.
"It was pretty mind-blowing," the talented racer, backed by Highland Arena and TW Steel, beamed afterwards. "The amount of power was pretty mind-boggling.
Watch our video of Lewis getting strapped in for his first run
"I knew the straight-line speed was going to be quick, but what really blew me away was how fast the car stops. But you have to be super smooth because the car's so responsive.
"This is a big opportunity for me and it's crucial I learn as much from these occasions as I can. I've heard the feedback from the team has been positive, so that's all I can ask at the moment.
"I'd obviously like to thank everyone at McLaren for the opportunity to test the F1 car, and hopefully I'll be able to drive one again sometime soon."
Williamson, who ironically is currently working closely with the Red Bull F1 team — MW Arden is also owned by Red Bull boss Christian Horner and racer Mark Webber — is strongly tipped to ultimately graduate to F1 where he would join Bathgate's Paul di Resta on the grid.
Watch Lewis blast past on his first flying lap in the McLaren F1
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Jim McGill