In winning the 2017 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award last night, young British driver Dan Ticktum took another massive step towards his ultimate goal of Formula One.

Indeed, as is the tradition, the award, which has previously gone to Paul di Resta, Anthony Davidson, Jenson Button and David Coulthard, includes a simulator role with McLaren and a test drive with the Woking team.

The only problem is, Ticktum is a member of the Red Bull Junior Team.

Indeed, the youngster, who only a week earlier had won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, was signed to the Red Bull Junior Team in January.

While it is understood McLaren will give the Londoner an outing next season it will not be in a contemporary car. However, the Woking outfit unofficially admitted that the simulator role is not possible, Ticktum having already experienced Red Bull's simulator.

"I had an amazing weekend in Macau and this has exceeded that," Ticktum told reporters, "I cannot put into words how proud I am right now."

"People know I had a tough career to start with and there have been some very important people who believed in me, particularly Red Bull, Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko," he added. "They've given me a chance and I hope I can do them proud."

World champion, Lewis Hamilton, who was named best international racing driver and British competition driver, did not attend the event and instead sent a video message.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Grumpytyke, 15/12/2017 1:24

"I find it distasteful that he was selected by Autosport to be a finalist in the first place. Ticktum was banned for two years for driving through from the back off the field under the Safety Car passing multiple double waved yellows to ram another competitor. What sort of example does that set about the sport? "So I nearly killed Ricky Collard - that was two years ago and look where I am now!" He should have been ostracised by Autosport/BRDC/Red Bull McLaren/everybody because he is dirty! "

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2. Posted by jcr, 05/12/2017 1:35

"I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT PAOLO WAS BEING AS SARCASTIC AS I WAS !!!!!!
AS REGARDING HAMMI."

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3. Posted by Paolo, 04/12/2017 17:12

"Fancy awarding a prize to somebody who can't use it and thereby denying a worthy recipient who does not already have the benefit of a Red Bull contract. Nice Work Judges"

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4. Posted by Paolo, 04/12/2017 17:05

"Hamilton only gets a limited number of days in the UK or else he has to pay his taxes. He won't waste a valuable tax break day for this. He will probably send a video link for Sports Personality of the Year as well if he gets it."

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5. Posted by jcr, 04/12/2017 15:11

"Did anybody really expect hammi to attend this Trivial Ceremony ¿¿
Way below his usual standards."

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Well, that's awkward

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