Epping’s Ayrton Simmons is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former F1 World Champion Jenson Button after being nominated for the 2018 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.

Button was a previous winner of the prize, which aims to unearth potential F1 stars of the future.

The winner of the award will receive the once in a lifetime opportunity of having a test with McLaren, who recently recruited former winner Lando Norris after he impressed in his test in Hungary.

Simmons has been nominated alongside nine other racers, including British F4 rival Kiern Jewiss, who the 17-year-old will go head-to-head with for the title in Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time.

The Epping racer has impressed with JHR Developments this year, leading the F4 championship during the early stages of the season, and his form was rewarded when he was handed his debut in British F3 by Chris Dittmann Racing at the infamous Spa Francorchamps circuit back in July.

Simmons will be looking to build on his promising showing at Spa when he returns to F3 action at Donnington Park this weekend.

To vote for Simmons, email maba.nominations@autosport.com with the subject line of ‘Nominations’ and send ‘Ayrton Simmons.’