In the same week that he clinched the Fomula Renault UK Championship, Duncan has been named as one of six drivers that will compete for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.

Five drivers were selected from a shortlist which had been compiled following votes from the readers of Autosport magazine, with the sixth slot being decided by a Formula Palmer Audi shoot-out race at Snetterton on November 3-4.

Duncan is the oldest candidate and was previously nominated for the award in 2005 following his dominant year in the British Formula Ford Championship.

The drivers will be evaluated by a panel of judges at Snetterton next month where they will drive a World Series by Renault car, a DTM Mercedes and a Porsche Carrera Cup car. They will also be interviewed by the judges at the McLaren Technology Centre. The winner will be announced at the Autosport Awards in London on December 2 and will receive tests in a F1 McLaren car and a GP2 car, BRDC life membership and £50,000.

Past winners include F1 drivers David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson and a host of drivers who have competed at the highest level of sportscars, Indycars and touring cars, such as Gary Paffett, Darren Turner, Dario Franchitti and Oliver Gavin.

Duncan’s rivals for the award include his 2007 Formula Renault team-mate Dean Smith and Formula BMW contenter Henry Arundel, a driver that Duncan engineered for and coached in karting for three seasons.

He said: “I’m very honoured to be given the opportunity to compete for the most important award in British motorsport at this level and would like to thank everyone who voted for me.

“The prizes in themselves are a major boost to a driver’s career but also the industy recognition from being a winner goes a long way and would be a fantastic achievment.

“I drove the DTM and World Series cars when I was nominated in 2005 but have never driven a Porsche Cup car. I know the judges will expect more from me than the others given my age and experience and I have every intention of showing them that I’m worthy of their support.

“I’ve always wanted a career in motorsport and you have to aim high. Formula One is as high as it gets so to be in contention for a test is a great opportunity and I will try my hardest to win.”

This week in Autosport Magazine there is another opportunity to vote for Duncan for British Club Driver of the Year. Please fill in the form on Page 70 and help him to win this category. You can vote for your favourites in seven other categories too. The winners will also be announced at the Awards ceremony on December 2.

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