Robert Wickens was presented with the British Racing Drivers Club Bruce McLaren Award in a ceremony on Monday, with the Canadian being recognized for his championship success this season in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
The 22-year-old from Toronto, who also served as a reserve driver this year for Marussia Virgin Racing in Formula 1, was presented with the trophy, awarded to the best performance of the year for a non-British driver from the Commonwealth, by motorsport legend, Sir Stirling Moss.
Previous recipients of the award – named for the late Bruce McLaren, founder of the McLaren F1 team – include the likes of Scott Dixon, Will Power an Mark Webber.
“I'm tremendously honored to have won this award,” reflected Wickens. “It's been a fantastic season for me winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and making my debut in Formula 1, being a reserve driver for Marussia Virgin Racing. I enjoy being a BRDC Rising Star and a full club member but to collect the ‘Bruce McLaren Award' is truly something special – especially when it's presented by Sir Stirling Moss!"
Wickens, who set the fastest lap times for both Lotus Renault GP and Marussia Virgin Racing in last month's F1 Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi, went on to compete in the Dan Wheldon Memorial Kart Race in Milton Keynes on Monday evening, joining an impressive list of driving talent celebrating the life of the two-time Indy 500 winner.
"We had a blast!” enthused Robert. “The spirit of the event was amazing, as was the lineup of drivers racing together with the public. It was certainly a fitting tribute to Dan and I have to say great job to Johnny Mowlem whose idea it was to host the event.”
After a few more days in Europe, Wickens will return to Canada mid-December where he looks forward to finalizing his racing plans for 2012.