South Africa’s young motor racing star Kelvin van der Linde was named the Driver of the Year for the 2014 International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) Young Driver Excellence Academy at a graduation ceremony at the Paul Ricard circuit in France on Friday.

The 18-year-old received a trophy and certificate to mark the end of a seven-month programme that included five different workshops attended by 10 young racing drivers from eight countries.

Van der Linde was the official representative of the African continent following an intensive selection process that involved events around the world at the end of 2013.

Each FIA National Sporting Authority (NSA), including Motorsport South Africa, nominated a driver to attend the selection process. Five qualifiers were chosen and were joined by five wild card participants.

Van der Linde was delighted to be named Academy Driver of the Year and says he is hoping to grow and apply what he has learnt in the past seven months.

“I’m really speechless right now. To come to the Academy as the African representative where, despite being a large continent, racing is still growing and to win this is amazing,” he said.

“I came here with an open mind, ready to learn, and gave it my best. It’s great to win and receive this trophy, but the real work starts now.”

Van der Linde currently leads the ADAC GT Masters Championship for GT3 sports cars in Europe at the halfway stage in a Prosperia C. Abt Audi R8 with German co-driver Rene Rast.