Lewis Williamson has been named as the 2010 winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
The 21-year-old, who finished as runner-up in this season's Formula Renault UK Championship, becomes the fifth Scot to win the prestigious award, which is given annually to a promising young British driver.
Williamson was presented with the award by former Scottish winners Dario Franchitti and Paul Di Resta at Autosport Magazine's annual end-of-season awards ceremony. As part of his prize he will get the chance to test a McLaren Formula 1 car.
Williamson, along with Formula Renault Eurocup runner-up Luciano Bacheta, Formula UK champion Tom Blomqvist, Formula BMW Europe runner-up Jack Harvey, British Formula Ford runner-up Scott Malvern and Formula Palmer Audi champion Nigel Moore, was assessed in a number of tests at Silverstone in November, including drives in a Formula 2 car and Mercedes DTM machine.
“What do you say? I’m just in shock,” said Williamson upon receiving the award. “I went up there and just did what I’ve done all year; give it 100 per cent. That’s all you can do.
“When I was told I was in the final six, I was at work and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I was in shock then and I broke down in tears, so to win…”
Since finishing as Formula Renault UK runner-up, Williamson has tested a GP3 car, topping the timesheets at Estoril in his first day in the car up against far more experienced runners. He is expected to move to the series next season.
