Aston Martin has committed to supplying the ?200,000 prize for the winner of the 2019 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, the biggest financial reward in the award’s history.

From its creation in 1989 to 2018 the award was supported by McLaren, with Aston Martin being announced as a replacement partner alongside the ?200,000 prize pot in March.

In addition to the money, Aston Martin will also offer the winner a drive in its Vantage GTE sportscar that races in the World Endurance Championship, and a Red Bull Formula 1 car.

“This is a clear demonstration of Aston Martin’s commitment to the development of emerging talent, whether that be in motor racing or through our pioneering graduate, internship and apprenticeship schemes across the automotive and engineering sectors,” said Aston Martin president and CEO Andy Palmer.

“As a British sportscar manufacturer whose very roots are defined by its racing ethos, we consider it vital to underpin this country’s proud motorsport legacy by nurturing the talent that will keep us at the top for years to come.

“This is a large sum of money and it will make a demonstrable difference to the career of the right driver.”

Aston Martin already has W Series champion Jamie Chadwick on its books as a junior driver.

Four drivers, under the age of 24 at the start of their season and over 16 at the time of the tests, will be selected from a variety of categories below FIA Formula 3.

They will then undertake fitness and simulator assessments at Red Bull Racing’s Milton Keynes factory, before a two-day shootout in a variety of machinery at Silverstone.

“Every year we try to bring something different to the Award and this year is definitely another big step,” added chairman of the judges Derek Warwick.

“Having ?200,000 as the first prize gives the winner a chance to step up to the next level of motorsport.”

The judging panel has been expanded since the March announcement to include Leena Gade, who engineered Audi to Le Mans 24 Hours success and currently works on Mazda’s IMSA programme.

More information on the history of the award and the previously announced details on this year’s prize can be found here.