Aston Martin becomes new partner for BRDC Award

Aston Martin has become the new partner of the BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award for 2019, taking over from McLaren.

McLaren announced in January that it would be ending its support of the BRDC Award after 30 years, having helped discover rising racing stars such as David Coulthard, Dario Franchitti, Jenson Button, Paul di Resta, and, more recently, 2019 Formula 1 rookies George Russell and Lando Norris.

In an announcement made at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, Aston Martin confirmed it had become the new partner for the award that will continue to have an F1 test as a prize for the winner with Red Bull Racing, whom Aston Martin is a title partner of.

The winner will also test an Aston Martin Vantage GTE car from the FIA World Endurance Championship, with a £200,000 prize pool on offer.

“I have always believed it a critical necessity to develop young talent across the automotive spectrum, whether that be in design, engineering or driving," said Aston Martin Group CEO and president, Andy Palmer.

"This important new partnership represents the very best opportunity to play a significant role in the development of the next generation of British world champions,"

Red Bull F1 chief Christian Horner added: "We are pleased to lend our support to Aston Martin’s drive to discover motor racing’s future stars and this programme represents a golden opportunity for young drivers to further their career at the highest levels.

"Red Bull has a long and successful history of nurturing young racing talent through its Junior Team and so we look forward to supporting Aston Martin in its quest to find the champions of tomorrow."