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Magnussen to test for McLaren

Kevin Magnussen raced in Formula 3 last year © Sutton Images

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Kevin Magnussen will drive for McLaren at the Young Driver Test at the end of the year after moving up a stage in the team's driver development programme.

Magnussen, the son of former McLaren and Stewart driver Jan Magnussen, will work on the 2012 car in the simulator under test drivers Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey before stepping into the actual MP4-27 towards the end of the year. He finished as runner-up in the British Formula 3 championship last season and will race in Formula Renault 3.5 this year.

"I'm really pleased by this new agreement with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes," he said. "The team has shown great faith in me so far and I feel that this is an important step in my career. F1 is a highly pressured, data-driven environment, and anyone who wants to get there and succeed within it has to master all the technical aspects of the discipline. This is a great opportunity and I look forward to working with the team and playing a part in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' future."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: "Racing is the core business of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. By enabling talented drivers to fulfil their potential, our Driver Development Programme is a strategic investment in the future of that business and the sport as a whole. We've been delighted by Kevin's progress, aptitude and work ethic thus far. The time was right for him to take the next step and we look forward to helping him gain the experience he requires."

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