Alex Lynn joins Williams as development driver

GP3 champion Alex Lynn has been handed a development driver role at Williams for 2015, with the 21-year-old also set to get track time with the team this season with a one-day outing at the in-season test session at the Circuit de Catalunya following the Spanish Grand Prix in May.

The Briton, who last year claimed the GP3 title with a record points margin, will also make the step up to GP2 where he'll race with the DAMS outfit.

"I am extremely excited to be joining Williams, a team with such incredible history and amazing potential," said Lynn of his new role, which will predominantly see him working in the team's simulator. "I hope that with a strong year in GP2, while also helping to develop the F1 car throughout this season, I can follow in the footsteps of Valtteri Bottas who joined the Williams team in exactly the same Development Driver role.

"Working with people like Sir Frank Williams and Pat Symonds is an incredible opportunity for me," he added. "There is so much experience here at Williams and I hope to be able to use the knowledge gained from these people to further develop my skills as a racing driver and respected member of this team. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming from the outset, we have hit the ground running and I am very excited about the challenges this role offers – particularly my on-track activities driving the FW37 in a few months' time.”

Williams Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams said: “As a British team we are always on the lookout for emerging home-grown talent and Alex has caught our eye with his impressive performances in GP3. He has been chosen on merit and we are confident that alongside Felipe, Valtteri and Susie, Alex will help play an important role in making sure that the FW37 shows continuous improvement over the course of the 2015 season.”