Five drivers from the Motorsport UK Enhanced DiSE programme were shortlisted for the Young Driver of the Year award, based on their sporting and academic achievements over the past year, with Alessandro Ceronetti coming out on top.

Each year, the Motorsport UK Academy and Loughborough College nominate five drivers from the second year of the Enhanced DiSE programme to take part in the final of the Young Driver of the Year Award. Commitment and engagement over the two years of the Enhanced DiSE programme is taken into consideration when selections for the award are made, as well as the drivers sporting results and achievements in their respective disciplines.

The shortlisted drivers were as follows:

• Alessandro Ceronetti
• Molly Dodd
• Sam Hicks
• Owen Hizzey
• Casper Stevenson

“The Young Driver of the Year Award aims to recognise the drivers’ efforts during the two years they have been a part of the DiSE programme,” said Katie Baldwin, Competitors Pathway Manager. “As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to do things a little differently this year and hold part one of the final virtually and the second part when restrictions had eased,” adds Katie.

The virtual part of the final took place earlier this year, with each finalist delivering a presentation on what they had gained from the Enhanced DiSE programme and how it will help them in the future, followed by a one-to-one session where they spoke about their future motorsport goals.

Fast forward to July, and the drivers were put through their paces in the second half of the final. Hosted and supported by iZone Driver Performance, partner of the Motorsport UK Academy, the finalists had to complete a series of tasks involving fitness testing, reaction testing, SIM work and a head-to-head competition at the end of the day.

After a highly competitive day, Wera Tools British Kart Championship driver Alessandro Ceronetti was crowned the Young Driver of the Year 2020.

“It was an incredibly close day of competition”, said Katie. “The judging panel were very impressed with the professionalism of all the finalists, and Molly, Sam, Owen and Casper should all be proud of their performances. Alessandro stood out for his consistently quick SIM times, his determination on the fitness testing and his positive attitude in taking on feedback from the iZone team. Congratulations Alessandro!”.

Alessandro Ceronetti, Enhanced DiSE driver said; “It’s a real pleasure to win the Young Driver of the Year Award! It has been a fun day at iZone, and I really enjoyed the competitive nature of the final. I’ve learnt a lot and I would like to thank the Academy, iZone and everyone involved in the DiSE course.”

Alessandro will be awarded the Young Driver of the Year 2020 trophy by CEO Hugh Chambers later this year and will also receive a bespoke training and development package at iZone Driver Performance. He will also join us as a guest judge for the Young Driver of the Year 2021.

The Motorsport UK Academy would like to thank the judging panel for their support and guidance throughout the Young Driver of the Year final:

• Neil Riddiford and John Pratt– iZone Driver Performance
• Stephen Lickorish – Autosport
• Adam Gould – Elite Sport Assessor, Loughborough College
• James Wozencroft – Performance Manager, Motorsport UK Academy