Kennard Selected for 'Young Driver' Award

04 October 2004

Formula Palmer Audi champion Jonathan Kennard has been chosen as one of the six finalists for this year's McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.

Tunbridge Wells driver Kennard, 19, will go head to head against five other aspiring young single-seater racers for the prestigious award, which counts Formula 1 aces David Coulthard and Jenson Button among its previous winners.

Kennard won four races on the way to the FPA title, which he wrapped up with one race still to go, and will take part in a two-day evaluation for the award at Silverstone later in October.

During the assessment days, he will be tested in a Championship-class British Formula 3 car, a DTM Mercedes and a British Touring Car machine. The prize includes a substantial cash prize plus a test drive in a McLaren F1 car.

A panel of judges consisting of the BRDC's Roger Lane-Nott, ex-Formula 1 driver Howden Ganley, Autosport journalist Marcus Pye, racing commentator Ian Titchmarsh and former award winner Andrew Kirkaldy, will assess him on speed, feedback and general attitude amongst other things.

Kennard said his selection capped a perfect year for him. "I am delighted to be selected for the award," he said. "You only have to look at the list of past winners and you can see how much it means. It also means I get two days of driving some great cars and I'm looking forward to that. I'll give it my best shot.

"I always thought I had a chance of getting into the award this year. We had a very good year, winning the championship. It's nice to know that the judges are keeping at least one eye on what's happening in Formula Palmer Audi and just goes to show what a good route FPA is to take."

Kennard is confident that even being nominated for the final stages of the award will help his career. "It will help in finding sponsors because a lot of people know what a huge deal the award is," he explained.

The McLaren Autosport BRDC Award has been won in the past by current McLaren racer David Coulthard, BAR's Jenson Button, Indy Racing League driver Dario Franchitti and new Formula 3 Euroseries champion Jamie Green.