Moore, Fontana join McLaren Academy

Single-seater converts Struan Moore and Alex Fontana have joined the expanded and renamed McLaren GT Driver Academy for 2016.

Moore and Fontana, who respectively raced in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship and GP3 last season, were announced alongside existing member Andrew Watson on the roster of what was previously known as McLaren's young driver programme. The trio, who could be joined by further academy members before the start of the season, have been selected from drivers who have confirmed race programs at the wheel of one of McLaren's 650S GT3s in 2016.

Moore, Fontana and Watson will get the chance to take part in McLaren's test program and work with the company's engineers in addition to their own racing activities over the course of the season.

McLaren GT boss Andrew Kirkaldy explained that the scheme "gave added value to drivers racing the 650S" and "would help develop their talents."

"Despite being young, drivers hungry for a new challenge are moving from single-seaters with a wealth of experience and a very high level of skill," he said. "The new Driver Academy will be tailored to this greater level of experience, and we look to help enhance the talents and provide a more complete understanding of how to manage and progress with a successful GT career."

The 2016 racing programs of the three academy members will be announced at a later date.

Watson raced with fellow McLaren young driver Ross Wylie in last year's British GT Championship in a VonRyan Racing 650S.

Kirkaldy explained that the change in name of the scheme reflected the level of experience of the drivers and a desire to widen its scope.

Originally on Autosport.com