GB3 driver Deagen Fairclough got behind the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time last week, as he completed his prize test at Silverstone in an Aston Martin AMR23 car, after winning last year's Silverstone Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.
The 19-year-old completed 26 laps of the Grand Prix circuit at the wheel of the team's 2023 machine, the most successful car produced by the Silverstone-based squad so far, which scored seven podiums courtesy of Fernando Alonso.
Having completed a seat fit and sim session at the team's headquarters, Fairclough completed six on track runs throughout the test, experiencing a range of Pirelli tyres as he built up his experience.
He posted times comparable to those set in the 2023 Grand Prix at the circuit, with the car leaving a big impression on the British youngster.
"I’m extremely lucky to have the opportunity: it’s a dream come true driving a car that achieved F1 podiums just a couple of years ago," he said. "I can’t put it into words: the trust and capabilities these cars have at high speed is ridiculous.
“I cannot thank the team enough; it was eye-opening from the beginning, seeing the amount of effort that goes into the two cars at the campus, to everyone involved on the day of the track run.
“I went out there and gave it my all. I wanted to learn what I could and maximise what I got out of it. I was able to go out and perform straightaway because of the experience of the people around me.
“I always dreamt of driving a Formula One car since I was four years old, driving it was another level, the sensation of it has really given me the motivation to get to the pinnacle of motorsport.”
Gerry Hughes, the team's Chief Engineer F1 Evolution, added: “Deagen handled his time on track especially well in such windy and cold conditions. He was very confident in high-speed areas, it’s impressive for someone who has not spent any time in a Formula One car.
“We focused on helping him optimise his lap time with low-speed technique, something we continued from his time in the sim at the AMRTC.
“He’s had some great experience in a Formula One car and now has some miles under him; he can now build on this in his future career and carry that experience and learning onwards.”