Alex Lynn has taken a major step towards his dream of becoming a Formula One driver by joining one of Great Britain’s most famous, successful and most-loved F1 teams.

The 21-year-old from Dunmow has been announced as a development driver Williams Martini Racing for the 2015 season in a role that will see him fully immersed in the race team with the development of their Williams Mercedes FW37 and Grand Prix car set-ups.

It will see him working closely with Williams’ 2015 F1 drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas and test driver Susie Wolff.

Lynn, who is the current GP3 champion and will be racing in the GP2 Series this year for the DAMS Racing team, will also get behind the wheel of the FW37 for one day’s testing in Barcelona following the Spanish Grand Prix in May.

He said: “I am extremely excited to be joining Williams, a team with such incredible history and amazing potential.

“Over the past year the team has made huge strides forward and it’s clear to see their determination to fight for more success in the future."