McLaren signs Magnussen’s son

The son of former McLaren-Mercedes test driver Jan Magnussen, Kevin Magnussen, has been signed up by the McLaren team for its Young Driver program. Magnussen was runner up in the Formula Renault 2.0 Nothern European Cup last year and will move to the German F3 championship in 2010.

Kevin's father, Jan Magnussen, enjoyed his Formula 1 debut at McLaren replacing Mika Hakkinen for one race. He finished tenth and wouldn't return as a race driver until the Danish driver joined Stewart Ford in 1997.

The 17-year-old Kevin will now move a step closer to his ultimate dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver. He does realize though he will be closely watched by the McLaren team and thus there will be more pressure on the young driver. "I am now under constant surveillance and pressure but that motivates me a lot," Kevin said. "I now have this rare opportunity and know that there is just one chance to make it. Martin Whitmarsh has shown a lot of confidence in me and I will do my best not to disappoint him." GPUpdate.net