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Formula Renault UK champ to test with McLaren

ESPNF1 Staff
December 7, 2009 « Silverstone announce 17-year deal to host British GP | »
Dean Smith will test a McLaren as part of his prize © Sutton Images
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Formula Renault UK champion Dean Smith has won a test for McLaren after picking up the McLaren Autosport BRDC young driver award.

Previous winners include Jenson Button and David Coulthard as well as IndyCar champion Dario Franchetti. Alongside the test, Smith won £50,000, full membership of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), a TW Steel watch and Puma racewear for a year.

"I've worked so hard this year and this is the culmination of everything," he said. "Next year I'm hoping to do GP3 and this will go some way to helping with the budget. Adding my name to the list of former winners is very special and, obviously, I can't wait to be able to test the F1 car - that really will be a dream come true."

Oliver Turvey won the award in 2006 and put in an impressive performance with McLaren at the young drivers' test at Jerez. Winners usually test with the team at Silverstone during the winter months.

Button was named international racing driver of the year at the same awards ceremony on the back of his 2009 Formula One title.

"I've never had a relaxed winter in F1," Button, who has agreed a deal to join McLaren for the 2010 season, said. "I have been with Brawn for seven years. The engineers are at my table, and this award goes to them because awards don't normally go to engineers."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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