Norris scoops Autosport prizeposted in OTHER05 | 12 | 2016
FOLLOWING THE LIKES of past Scots winners — including David Coulthard, Dario Franchitti, Paul di Resta and Lewis Williamson — Lando Norris was awarded the 2017 McLaren Autosport British Racing Drivers’ Club.
Norris, who turned 17-years-old less than a month ago, wins a Formula 1 “test”, a funded simulator role and a fitness programme both with the McLaren F1 team, an Arai GP-6 RC carbon race helmet and becomes a full BRDC member.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed to win this prestigious prize that caps off an incredibly successful season for me,” the youngster said. “To be voted by the Autosport readers, and to ultimately be chosen by the judges, is a dream.
“The McLaren prizes can only help me in my quest to ultimately reach Formula One. It’s now my job to keep working hard and stay focussed to achieve this goal.”
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He was presented with the Award by Éric Boullier, McLaren F1 Racing Director, at the glittering awards evening attended by the sport’s leading personalities including 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg and Britain’s former F1 World Champions Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill.
The McLaren Autosport BRDC Award dates back to 1989 and was established to reward and recognise the best young racing talent from the UK.
Members of the public are initially invited to nominate drivers before a shortlist of finalists is decided upon by the Award’s judging panel.
This year’s panel comprised of BRDC President Derek Warwick, McLaren GT Managing Director Andrew Kirkaldy from St Andrews, two-time British Touring Car champion Jason Plato, Le Mans winner David Brabham, leading circuit commentator Ian Titchmarsh, McLaren representative Mark Williams plus Autosport magazine’s Scott Mitchell and Kevin Turner.
They monitored the performance of Norris and three other drivers, all older than Lando, in a McLaren simulator, two days driving Formula 2, Mercedes DTM and McLaren GT cars at Silverstone combined with a fitness assessment to determine this year’s winner.
A multiple karting champion, this season Norris claimed the Toyota Racing Series, Formula Renault Eurocup and Formula Renault Northern European Cup titles.
Bristol-born Norris, who also finished eighth in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship despite only contesting half the season, accumulated 43 podium finishes, including 21 race wins, 26 pole-position starts and 13 fastest race laps.
Derek Warwick, former F1 driver, 1992 World Sportscar champion and BRDC President congratulated Norris.
“Lando has had an amazing season, especially considering he was only 16-years-old until last month,” he said. “He was quick in the GT3 and DTM cars, but was absolutely stunning in the Formula 2 single-seater.
“He definitely has a great career in front of him. Lando’s a future F1 driver and I believe a future F1 World Champion.”
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Jim McGill