GT4 Champion Canning Wins Aston Martin Academy Prize

British GT4 co-champion Tom Canning has won the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy and will receive career support from the manufacturer next year.

The 17-year-old Brit was picked from a group of 23 candidates aged between 17 and 25 after impressing AMR’s senior staff during a year-long assessment program.

Canning, who won the British GT4 title in a TF Sport-run Aston Martin Vantage GT4 with Ashley Hand, becomes the second winner of Aston’s young talent scheme after Ross Gunn graduated to works driver status through the ‘Evolution’ Academy in 2015.

As the Academy winner, Canning will be offered a financial contribution to his 2020 race program as well as simulator, fitness and driver coaching from the factory.

“Tom is clearly a very promising talent, and this shone through in all aspects of his academy training,” said Aston Martin Racing president David King.

“He approached the program with maturity and focus and his attitude to the program was exemplary.

“He was eager to learn at every opportunity and was frequently found in the engineering office at this year’s Silverstone round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

“That he combined all this with a consummate campaign in the British GT Championship shows that he fully deserves the opportunity to become part of the Aston Martin Racing family.”

Canning added: “To be chosen to be a part of the Aston Martin Racing Academy was a privilege and I have definitely benefited from all of their support during 2019.

“I am excited to become part of the AMR family and look forward to my new role and working closer with the team in 2020, and getting back in the Aston Martin Vantage.”