Comma’s sponsored driver wins Britain’s top motorsport award

07/12/2015

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Will Palmer, Comma's record-breaking driver in this year's Duo BRDC Formula 4 championship, has earned the 2015 McLaren 'Autosport' BRDC Award. In addition to a prize of £100,000, a test in a Formula 1 McLaren and lifetime membership of the British Racing Driver's Club, the award carries huge global prestige and influence. Previous winners include 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, ex Formula 1 driver and BBC TV Formula 1 pundit David Coulthard and Dario Franchitti, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.

"It's absolutely unbelievable, and massive for my career," said Will as he was presented with the award at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. "Every year, I've seen the finalists on stage and dreamed of one day taking part. It's an amazing opportunity."

To earn the award, Will went head to head with five other nominees over two days of intensive assessments at Silverstone in November, including on-track tests in Formula 2, DTM and McLaren GT cars, plus interviews, simulator sessions and fitness tests.
"Will took our breath away", said Derek Warwick, BRDC president and leader of the judging panel. "He impressed all of us."

18 year old Palmer is the younger brother of Jolyon, who was also sponsored by Comma to the 2014 GP2 Series championship and will be driving for the official Renault-Lotus Formula 1 team in 2016.

"We've been thrilled by Will's great performances this year, and we couldn't be more delighted that he has received such well-deserved recognition for his achievements," said Comma spokesperson Mike Bewsey. "He carried our colours with great honour and sportsmanship when breaking every record in the Duo BRDC Formula 4 championship series, to which Comma is also Technical Partner and exclusive supplier of engine oils, coolants and maintenance chemicals. Will's clearly in a hurry to catch up with his big brother, and all of us at Comma send him our congratulations and best wished for the future."