Newly crowned British Formula Ford Champion James Cole has been announced as a finalist for the exclusive McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. After being narrowed down from an initial 12 nominees, the Merseyside racer is one of only six young drivers fighting it out for £50,000 prize money and a test in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One car.

This prestigious award boasts an illustrious list of previous winners including Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, David Coulthard and F1drivers championship point’s leader, Jenson Button. The award, in its twentieth year, is an honour for an aspiring racing star, bringing with it industry recognition, a chance to meet top motorsport personnel and financial assistance for a racing career.

Cole along with the five other nominees will spend three days in November at Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, where he will undergo a series of tough evaluations. These assessments will focus on his driving and race skills, as well as fitness levels, and media presentation, putting to the test his capabilities under pressure from an experienced panel of judges. This year the judges of the award include 1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill, ex-F1 racer Anthony Davidson, McLaren's head of vehicle engineering Mark Williams, DTM star Jamie Green, veteran commentator Ian Titchmarsh and Autosport's Marcus Pye and Kevin Turner.

Cole’s nomination for the award comes just over a week after he secured the drivers title in the MSA British Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain. The 21 year old lead the standings from the opening round at Oulton Park, took seven wins and a further eight podiums during the course of the season.

Cole commented on the news, “Being nominated for this award is, in itself, with recognition of the success I’ve had this year, so I’m pleased that my achievements have been noted. I think the competition for the award looks tough, and there have been several notable accomplishments from the other finalists, but I’m looking forward to going to Silverstone and showing what I can do. It would be the icing on the cake for my season to take home the BRDC Young Driver Award, it is a fantastic honour and I would be joining a list of great past winners.”