2015 WILL PALMER

OTHER FINALISTS Jack Aitken, Ben Barnicoat, Ricky Collard, Jake Hughes, Toby Sowery

He says: “There were six weeks between the tests and the winner being announced, and the dream of winning the Award was all I could think of. I thought I had a shot as I’d felt really strong in the F2 car, particularly in the final ‘qualifying’ runs, but with so much going into consideration it was impossible to know how much of a chance I really had.

“To be announced as the winner of such an amazing Award in front of such a prestigious crowd is a moment that I will remember forever, and remains the greatest racing highlight for me. Winning the Award certainly puts you very much on the map, and I took a huge amount of confidence from it. On top of that, the help from the BRDC to the winner is so significant, both in terms of advice and support. A nice moment was Derek Warwick being the first to congratulate me as I got out of the car after winning at Monaco in Formula Renault, a year and a half after handing me the Award!

“The major highlight though is the Mclaren F1 test at Silverstone. So few drivers ever get to drive one, and I feel massively privileged to have been able to do it, particularly at the home of British motorsport with friends and family watching. As a driving experience, that will never be beaten for me – even if I didn’t manage to quite take Abbey flat out!”