Hamilton assured of future in F1

Hamilton is challenging Nelson Piquet JR for the lead in GP2

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has told British driver Lewis Hamilton he will get a chance in Formula One.

The 20-year-old Hamilton, who has been funded by McLaren for a decade, is the European Formula Three champion and is second in this season's GP2 series.

"He will be in Formula One, there's no question of that," said Dennis.

"Many people ask if there is a possibility of him driving for McLaren next season. Well, it's not impossible but it's just one of the options."

McLaren have signed world champion Fernando Alonso from Renault for next year but are expected to lose Finland's Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya's position also in doubt.

Hamilton has won every series he has entered so far and is challenging Nelson Piquet Jr for the lead in the GP2 series.

"We've mapped out his year, he's going to concentrate on GP2 and we're not going to get distracted from that," Dennis said.

"As and when I feel it is appropriate, we'll give him the opportunity to test and really settle in to driving a Formula One car.

"Then, according to how that works out, we'll decide together the next best step."