No great surprise given his performance in GP2, but its now official. Lewis Hamilton is now the #2 driver for McLaren. Now, Rosberg started this past season great, and then kind of faded away. Will Hamilton have a similar flare in next years F1?

Briton Lewis Hamilton will race for McLaren next year alongside double world champion Fernando Alonso, the Formula One team said on Friday.

Hamilton will be the sport’s first black driver. Of Anglo-Caribbean origin, his paternal grandparents came from the West Indies.

“It’s a dream come true,” said the 21-year-old in a statement.

“To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ultimate goal for me since I was very young and this opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me.”

Backed by McLaren for the past decade, Lewis won this year’s GP2 championship that acts as a feeder series to Formula One.

McLaren name Hamilton with Alonso – Reuters via CNN.com

Everyone knows I can’t stand Alonso, so I really do feel sorry for Hamilton. He’s had an excellent time of it in GP2 and rose to the top very quickly. Unfortunately, now he’s going to have to live in the shadow of Alonso’s ego. I don’t think anyone can survive there for long. Look at the way Fisichella was chomping at the bit towards the end of the season when he KNEW he could beat Alonso, but the politics were getting in the way.

Still, good luck to Hamilton. I hope he does well. He’s now reached the top of the motor sport food chain and he’s only 21. I wonder what would happen within the team if he beat Alonso and stole the record for the youngest world champion. ;-)

Okay, we won’t go there.

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