Wera Tools F4 British Championship title challenger Ethan Jeff-Hall has won the Motorsport UK Academy Young Driver of the Year following a shootout at iZone Driver Performance.
Each year, five standout second-year students from the Enhanced Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme are shortlisted for the award, which recognises sporting excellence as well as academic performance, along with attainment, effort and overall engagement.
Ben Mulryan (McLaren Trophy Europe), Cian Geraghty (Radical Cup UK Championship), Ethan Jeff-Hall (Wera Tools F4 British Championship), Nathan Tye (Spanish F4 Championship) and Sam Neser (McLaren Trophy America) were the nominees, with Ben and Sam joining Ethan for the final shootout.
The nominees completed 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, 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 Group 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.
Ethan impressed the judging panel, which included: Adam Gould, Elite Sport Assessor, Loughborough College Group; Chris Walkingshaw, HR & Operations Director at Motorsport UK; Will Tregurtha, Esports Tutor at Loughborough College; Cameron Biggs, Coaching & Academy Pathway Manager at Motorsport UK; Natasha McMorrow, Academy Operations Coordinator at Motorsport UK; and John Pratt, Coach at iZone Driver Performance.
Ethan was awarded with the Motorsport UK Academy Young Driver of the Year trophy and will also receive a comprehensive prize package including training and development with iZone Driver Performance.
Ethan Jeff-Hall said: “It’s an absolute honour to receive the Motorsport UK Academy Young Driver of the Year award. After a tough couple of years, it’s amazing to see all the hard work finally pay off. It was a tough day today as the other lads were very competitive but I’m super happy to have received the award and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved.”
Adam Gould, Elite Sport Assessor, Loughborough College Group, said: “Over the last two years on the Motorsport UK DiSE programme, these drivers have all been fantastic to work with and fully deserve their place in the Young Driver of the Year Final. They have demonstrated excellence both on and off the track, combining strong performances with a professional attitude, dedication to their development, and commitment to their academic studies.”
Click here for more information on the Enhanced DiSE programme.