Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award on Hold for 2025

Autosport confirmed the decision this morning, marking only the second time the award has been paused, the other being during the COVID-19 disrupted 2020 season.

The prize has traditionally included a Formula 1 test, £200,000, and full British Racing Drivers’ Club membership. Last year’s winner, Deagen Fairclough, will still complete his Aston Martin F1 test later this year.

Since its inception, Silverstone has hosted both the on-track final shootout for four drivers and the F1 test itself. McLaren provided the car for the first 30 years before Aston Martin, based next to the circuit, took over in 2019. The modern shootout format features simulator work, fitness evaluations, and stints in a MotorSport Vision Formula 2 car, a Ligier LMP3 prototype, and an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

Award chairman and 1992 World Sportscar Champion Derek Warwick explained the timing: “All F1 teams now have their own young driver programmes, which I like to think came from being aware and being involved with our very own young driver programme over the years. I feel now is a good time to stop and re-evaluate the Award.

“We would not have been able to achieve what we achieved without the amazing support from the BRDC, Silverstone and Autosport who really have been the backbone for this award for so many years. Not forgetting McLaren and Aston Martin, who also supported us with an F1 car for the winner to test and gave us the financial means and loyalty over the years.”

BRDC chairman Peter Digby endorsed the decision: “We fully support that [the award] should reflect the changes taking place in young driver development, especially with the imminent opening of the new Silverstone International karting track.”

The award has propelled many of Britain’s most successful drivers up the motorsport ladder, among them 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti, 2014 World Endurance Champion Anthony Davidson, 2022-23 Formula E title winner Jake Dennis, back-to-back 2024-2025 Formula E champion Oliver Rowland, and current F1 stars Lando Norris, George Russell, Oliver Bearman and Alexander Albon.