McLaren have signed a contract with 13-year-old rising American star Ugo Ugochukwu to support him through racing’s junior categories.

The team said the agreement gives them an option to sign Ugochukwu to a race deal in the future.

“We’ve been watching Ugo’s progress with interest,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.

“When the opportunity to sign an agreement with him became available, we had no hesitation moving on it.”

The deal is a multi-year contract, which there is an option they can choose to sign him to a further multi-year racing deal in F1 and other categories.

Ugochukwu was born in New York in the United States of America and his mother is Nigerian.

The protégé won last year’s FIA OK Junior European championship, and has graduated to the senior class this season.

Formula 1 has not had an American driver since Alexander Rossi drove in five races for the Marussia team in 2015.

“I’m honored to be signed by such an iconic team as McLaren Racing so early in my career,” Ugochukwu said.

“To have the support of McLaren is fantastic and what any young driver dreams of. I’m focused right now on developing as a driver and racer, so having McLaren by my side can only help me on and off the track.”