The five finalists in contention for the Motorsport UK Academy 2025 Young Driver of the Year award have been announced ahead of the shootout on Tuesday 1 July at iZone Driver Performance. 

Each year, five standout second-year students from the enhanced DiSE programme are shortlisted for the award, which recognises sporting excellence as well as academic performance, along with attainment, effort and overall engagement. 

Leo Brown (iRacing Formula Skip Barber Series), Jack James (Nurburgring Langstrecke Serie), Gracie Mitchell (Iberian Supercar Endurance Championship), Ruan Lowry (Competing in National Stage Rallies) and Ewan Thomas (LMP3 European Sprint Prototype Cup) will be invited to iZone Driver Performance for a day of assessments. 

The nominees will be asked to complete a series of physical fitness tests, driving skill and eye tracking assessments on Silverstone-based iZone’s three state-of-the art GT and single-seater simulators, in addition to undergoing panel interviews and presenting on their own experiences gained during the Motorsport UK Academy Enhanced DiSE Programme under the title “What I have gained from my time on the Motorsport UK Academy Enhanced DiSE Programme and how I will use what I have learnt in my future motorsport career”, followed by a Q&A with some members of the judging panel.  

The Enhanced DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) programme is delivered in collaboration with Loughborough College and is a bespoke, two-year sporting excellence and motor vehicle education course designed to support talented drivers and co-drivers through both the sporting and academic pathway. 

The experienced judging panel will assess the attendees long-term motorsport aspirations and technical and tactical understanding learned during time with the programme, on this year’s panel sits: John Pratt from iZone Driver Performance, Adam Gould, Elite Sport Assessor, Loughborough College, Martin Fallon, Marketing Lead, from Wera Tools UK, Connor Clifford awarded Young Driver of the Year 2024 and Tom Hartley, Head of Competitor Development, Motorsport UK. 

Adam Gould, Elite Sport Assessor, Loughborough College, comments, “All five of these drivers thoroughly deserve their place in the Young Driver of the Year final. They have demonstrated exceptional attitude, engagement and professionalism whilst on the Motorsport UK Enhanced DiSE programme over the last two years, and have been fantastic to work with. It will be exciting to see them battle it out on the day!” 

The winner will receive a trophy at the 2026 Night of Champions, presented by Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers, as well as a comprehensive package including training and development with iZone Driver Performance and a place as a guest judge in next year’s Young Driver of the Year award. 

More information about the programme can be found here. 

The Finalists 

Leo Brown 

“I have been competing professionally for Guild Esports, where I am currently in the process of qualifying for the iRacing Formula World Championships and racing in the iRacing Formula Skip Barber series, where the winner receives a fully funded season racing F4 in America.” 

Jack James 

“I am racing in Germany with the NLS, in preparation for my debut in GT4 later this year – this I believe will be a very important stepping stone to my goal of getting to factory status in the GT racing world.” 

Gracie Mitchell 

“So far in the Iberian Supercar Endurance Championship, we have come away with a podium at least once in both rounds, which is awesome! My goal is to be able to compete in F1 Academy, which I am continually working hard to achieve.” 

Ruan Lowry 

“Despite a challenging start to the 2025 seasons, I’ve continued to stay focused and committed to long-term progress. I’ve used this time to build momentum for upcoming  events; first gravel rally on my home territory (Grampian Rally) and the Hills Rally in Hertfordshire.” 

Ewan Thomas 

“I have learnt and progressed a lot so far this year with the car and all the circuits being new to me. Despite this, I am joint championship leader, collecting multiple race victories and pole positions this year. Also, having the opportunity to compete at Le Mans was a fantastic experience!”