Lewis Hamilton is relishing the prospect of being Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso's team mate next year after McLaren confirmed the Briton in their driver line-up.

"I look at it as a positive and I think I can benefit a lot from having such a strong team mate," said the 21-year-old Briton, who will become the first black grand prix driver when he makes his race debut in Australia in March.

"I'm looking forward to working with him. I'm not worried about it.

"I think he's going to do what he always does, which is drive extremely well, and I'm just going to try and do the best job I can and learn from him as quick as possible and try and eventually compete against him."

Alonso, 25, is joining from Renault after winning the last two championships while Hamilton has had barely any time in a Formula One car since winning this year's GP2 title, one rung below Formula One.

Hamilton said he had yet to talk to Alonso, beyond a fleeting chat with the Spaniard at their hotel in Turkey last August.

"I was having dinner with my dad and Fernando was just leaving the restaurant and he came over and introduced himself, which was a pleasant surprise," he said. "But we didn't really say too much."

LEARNING CURVE

The Briton, talking to reporters on Friday after the announcement, recognised that he faced a steep learning curve.

"I think it's important to understand how tough the challenge is going to be, which I do," he said.

"You have to make mistakes to learn and to become a better driver.

"I know I'm going to be making certain mistakes but that's just the way it is in this sport. Obviously I'm going to prepare the best I can mentally and physically to try and minimise the amount of mistakes that I make," he added.

"The biggest pressure is going to be the pressure that I put on myself. Making your debut in Formula One is a big thing, there are always going to be pressures there.

"The way I manage them is going to be important, to determine how well I cope in the first year."