MABA 2019 finalists revealed, Ligier joins roster

The four finalists who will contest the 2018 Mclaren Autosport BRDC Award have been selected.

BRDC Formula 3 race winners Jamie Caroline and Tom Gamble, Formula Renault Eurocup points leader Max Fewtrell, and British Formula 4 champion Kiern Jewiss are finalists. Only Fewtrell, 19, has been a finalist before.

There will be fitness and simulator elements before a two-day test at Silverstone in Motorsport Vision Formula 2, Mclaren GT3 and Ligier LMP3 machinery.

The JSP3 is a new addition this year, replacing the Mercedes DTM car due to the manufacturer’s withdrawal from the series.

Prizes for the winner, who will be announced at the Autosport Awards on December 2, include a Mclaren F1 test and full membership of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.

Ex-formula 1 driver and former BRDC president Derek Warwick chairs the judging panel which also comprises two-time British Touring Car champion Jason Plato, former Mclaren and Lola designer Mark Williams, GT team boss and 1997 Award winner Andrew Kirkaldy, experienced commentator Ian Titchmarsh, Mclaren’s Amelia Lewis, and Autosport’s Kevin Turner and Scott Mitchell.

Last year’s guest judge and recently announced BMW Formula E driver Alexander Sims has also joined the panel full-time.

Former Award winners include 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button, new Mclaren F1 driver Lando Norris who won the award in 2016, 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard, triple Indianapolis 500 victor Dario Franchitti, and 2014 World Endurance champion Anthony Davidson.