> Ron Dennis: It's the right time for Lewis Hamilton

McLaren CEO Ron Dennis says it is the right time to introduce the team's protégé Lewis Hamilton to grand prix racing.

The 21-year-old GP2 Series champion and 2005 F3 Euroseries title-holder, who has long been linked to a drive with McLaren and tested extensively with the team at Silverstone and Jerez towards the end of last season, will make his Formula 1 debut in the 2007 Australian Grand Prix.

"Since 1998 Lewis has formed an important part of our long-term strategy and we are pleased that we are able to help him take another step and achieve his dream of becoming a Formula 1 racing driver," said Dennis.

"Pedro [de la Rosa] has done an outstanding job for us this season but we felt it was the right time to provide Lewis with this opportunity.

"It's obviously going to be the biggest challenge of Lewis's career so far but it's one that we are sure he will be able to meet."

Hamilton is likely to come under intense media scrutiny, as he makes his debut alongside double world champion Fernando Alonso in Australia.

But despite being the first rookie to be granted a race seat at McLaren since Andrea de Cesaris in 1981, Dennis is confident that Hamilton will make a success of his first season in the top flight.

"He is coming into the paddock for the first time as a Formula 1 racing driver and will have to familiarise himself with the pressures of a Grand Prix weekend," he said.

"However the confidence we have in Lewis's abilities and talent is clear from our decision to give him the chance."

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport VP Norbert Haug added that Hamilton will be given as much preparation time as he needs to get up to speed in time for Melbourne.

"It's clear that Lewis has less experience in comparison to the other 21 Formula 1 drivers in Grand Prix cars," he said.

"However extensive tests during the coming months will prepare him for his first season - I am very glad that a guy like him gets his deserved chance."