Just reading down the list of names who were on stage during the Autosport Awards on Wednesday evening offers a flavor of the illustrious history and ongoing importance the event holds within motorsport.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, team principals Christian Horner, Zak Brown and James Vowles, 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill, 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard, F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff and new Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli all presented or collected awards on the night.
Add to that other team bosses, F1 drivers and series directors dotted around the room at London’s Roundhouse, and it felt like a who’s-who of motorsport – as did the roll call of winners.
Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Bernie Ecclestone, McLaren, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and Andrea Stella were among those to collect accolades.
F1 Academy crowned its 2024 champion, Abbi Pulling, while the future appears in safe hands as British Formula 4 champion Deagan Fairclough was named Silverstone Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year.
Presented by Qiddiya and hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Lee McKenzie, the evening was rounded off by a DJ set from former Spice Girl, Melanie C.
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
The celebrations were even more heightened than usual for the ‘biggest night in motorsport’ as both Autosport and Formula 1 toast their 75th anniversaries this year.
“One of my favourite sayings is: ‘tradition is an experiment that worked’,” James Allen, president of Motorsport Business and F1 liaison said during the ceremony.
“Seventy-five years ago, Autosport was launched just a few weeks after the first ever Formula 1 grand prix at Silverstone. In both cases, it was the start of something that has thrived and has become a tradition over 75 years.
“There has never ever been a better time to be a motorsport fan than today. Why? Because of the quality of the competition and the many different ways that fans now have to engage with our sport.
“Another one of my favourite sayings that I hear frequently, both from the industry but also from the fans, is: ‘I never believe it until I read it in Autosport’.
“Now, that carries an immense responsibility, but it’s one that we know that is valued and we certainly value it too. So, Formula 1 and Autosport were born in that same summer of 1950, and we are very, very proud to share this 75th anniversary with Formula 1.”
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Full list of award winners:
75th Anniversary honouree – Bernie Ecclestone
International Driver of the Year – Max Verstappen
British Competition Driver – Lando Norris
Person of the Year – Andrea Stella
International Rally Driver of the Year – Sebastien Ogier
National Driver of the Year – Jake Hill
International Competition Car – MCL38
Promoter of the Year – Las Vegas Grand Prix
Moment of the Year – Verstappen Masterclass in Brazil
Brand Partnership of the Year – Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% x Scuderia Ferrari
Pioneering & Innovation – Pirelli – Forest Stewardship Council-certified tires
F1 ACADEMY champion – Abbi Pulling
Young Driver of the Year – Deagen Fairclough
Elroy Grisby
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