McLaren Autosport BRDC finalists named

The five drivers were selected from a shortlist which had been compiled following votes from the readers of Autosport magazine, and the sixth slot will be decided by a Formula Palmer Audi shootout race at Snetterton on November 3-4.

Previous winners of the award include David Coulthard, Dario Franchitti, Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson, and Gary Paffett.

The six drivers will be evaluated by a panel of judges at Snetterton, where they will drive a World Series by Renault car, a DTM Mercedes, and a Porsche Carrera Cup car.

They will also be interviewed by the judges at the McLaren Technology Centre, and the winner will be announced at the Autosport Awards in London on December 2.

Formula Renault UK champion Duncan Tappy is the oldest driver to be nominated, and the 23-year-old's 2007 title rival Dean Smith has also been selected.

Callum MacLeod has put himself in contention for the award after dominating the British Formula Ford championship, where he took 14 wins on his way to the title.

Formula BMW race winner Henry Arundel and Formula Palmer Audi runner-up Stefan Wilson complete the list.