The Motorsport UK Young Media Awards celebrate their 25th anniversary this year – and to mark the occasion, they are moving into an exciting new chapter.
Media has changed a lot since the competition was first launched – an era when print journalism was still king, digital photography was barely affordable and the world ‘vlogger’ had not even been invented.
Now, young creatives are generating content through written journalism, videography, digital and social content, broadcasting, presenting, commentary and podcasting, all of which helps to bring the rich world of UK motorsport to life.
To reflect that change, the Young Journalist of the Year category is evolving into the Young Media Creative of the Year award, with the Young Photographer of the Year award continuing to showcase the best talent behind the lens.
Entries to the Media Creative award can be focused on one aspect or area – there is no requirement to work across multiple formats – and all you need is a portfolio of work that shows how you tell a good story.
Money… and money can’t buy prizes
The two category winners will receive a trophy and £1,000 – with extra prizes and benefits for the Young Photographer Award from sponsor Duwio – as well as access to some incredible money-can’t-buy experiences for 2027.
As part of the prize, the Young Photographer winner will get to work with Motorsport UK at the British Grand Prix as one of only two official host ASN photographers, with paddock, pit and podium access included.
The Young Media Creative winner, meanwhile, will get to join the Motorsport UK content creation team at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where their pass will grant access to some of motorsport’s most legendary cars and drivers.
Throughout the rest of the year, both winners will also have the opportunity to contribute to Motorsport UK content, events and projects.
Career springboard
Over 25 years, the awards have become a proven springboard for a career in motorsport – with some alumni going on to become leading creatives in the UK and abroad.
The original Young Photographer winner, Jakob Ebrey, now runs his own major photography agency in the UK, while the first Young Journalist winner, Will Gray, covered F1 for the Daily Telegraph and Reuters and now writes for Motorsport UK’s Revolution magazine.
The winner’s list is a who’s who of recognisable names across motorsport including Alex Kilinauckas, who became Autosport’s Grand Prix Editor; Luke Smith, who is now an F1 writer for The Athletic and New York Times; and Katy Fairman, who reports on Formula E and whose ‘Small Talk’ podcast passed 100k monthly listeners in its first three months.
An experienced judging panel, with expertise from across the motorsport media landscape, will select this year’s winners – and the awards will be presented at Motorsport UK’s prestigious Night of Champions, alongside some of the nation’s top champions and legends.
Think you have what it takes to become motorsport’s next media star? Applications are open until Friday 27th November, with winners announced in mid-December.