Moroccan Teen Makes History as First Arab Driver in McLaren Development Program

"It’s a dream come true," said Michael Benyahia. He feels proud "to represent the Arab world internationally, as the first Arab driver to join the McLaren development program for the year 2020, and thus raise the Moroccan flag in the most prestigious European competitions."

"I am fully aware that this is just the beginning and that an immense amount of work awaits me, but I also know that I am ready to put all the chances on my side to give the best of myself and achieve solid performances," said Michael Benyahia.

This consecration, the young Moroccan owes to his good performances. He is in 6th place out of 38 drivers in the overall driver standings. In 2016, he had finished second on the podium of the French Formula 4 Championship. A year later, Michael Benyahia rose to the top by winning the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC European Championship title. At the wheel of his McLaren 570s GT4 with the GT Team, he won his first victory this year on the Nürburgring circuit in Germany during his participation in the two GT4 series championships.

Next year, the young Moroccan driver and his teammates will participate in the "GT" competitions with the Tolman Motorsport team, a company that has been working closely with McLaren since 2018, according to LesEco.ma.