9 October 2009: Formula Ford drivers fill three of the six finalist slots for the 2009 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, it was announced today by autosport.com. They are newly crowned MSA Formula Ford Champion of Great Britain James Cole, his Jamun Racing team-mate from 2009, Chrissy Palmer, and the 2007 Formula Ford Champion, Callum MacLeod.

The Formula Ford three will go up against Formula Renault racers James Calado, Adam Christodoulou and Dean Smith at an assessment day at Silverstone next month. The chosen one wins £50,000 to further their career, a McLaren F1 test drive, full membership of the British Racing Drivers Club and Puma racewear for a year.

Sam Roach, Director of Formula Ford promoter RacingLine, said: "It's a fantastic achievement for James, Chrissy and Callum to make the final six of this award, which is the most prestigious in British motor sport, and a superb endorsement for Formula Ford as a breeding ground for the stars of tomorrow."

It's the second time that 21-year-old MacLeod has been on the McLaren Autosport BRDC shortlist: he was on it in 2007 (along with Nick Tandy) after winning the British Formula Ford title, but both men lost out to Stefan Wilson. Since his successes in the Ford-backed UK series, MacLeod has been a Class B front-runner in the European F3 Open with Team West-Tec.

Cole, also 21, was crowned MSA Formula Ford Champion last week at Castle Combe, having led the series all season despite heavy pressure from American driver Josef Newgarden. James won seven races on his way to the crown. Palmer, at 18 the youngest of the six finalists, was the 2008 Formula Ford Scholarship Class titlist and was, like Cole, a multiple race winner this season, racking up five victories on his way to championship fourth.

Their assessment next month will see them drive a variety of single-seater and saloon cars under the watchful eyes of a judging panel comprising 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, ex-F1 driver Anthony Davidson, McLaren's head of vehicle engineering, Mark Williams, DTM pilot Jamie Green, commentator Ian Titchmarsh, and Autosport men Marcus Pye and Kevin Turner. The finalists will also undergo a fitness test at Porsche's Human Performance Centre.

McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winners from seasons past include David Coulthard and former Formula Ford Champion Jenson Button. The overall winner will be announced on 6 December at the Autosport Awards.

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