2014 AUTOSPORT Awards
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The Toro Rosso recruits have remained onstage to present the next award of the evening: the International Rally driver of the Year.
With his second world title already in the bag, Sebastien Ogier can add the International Rally Driver Award to his list of accolades thanks to the AUTOSPORT readers.
Ogier took eight victories on his way to the 2014 title as his Volkswagen team dominated the season with 12 wins out of a possible 13.
With his second world title already in the bag, Sebastien Ogier can add the International Rally Driver Award to his list of accolades thanks to the AUTOSPORT readers.
Ogier took eight victories on his way to the 2014 title as his Volkswagen team dominated the season with 12 wins out of a possible 13.
The nominees for the International Rally Driver of the Year award are:
Elfyn Evans – Ford
Jari-Matti Latvala – Volkswagen
Kris Meeke – Citroen
Andreas Mikkelsen – Volkswagen
Thierry Neuville – Hyundai
Sebastien Ogier – Volkswagen
Elfyn Evans – Ford
Jari-Matti Latvala – Volkswagen
Kris Meeke – Citroen
Andreas Mikkelsen – Volkswagen
Thierry Neuville – Hyundai
Sebastien Ogier – Volkswagen
No surprises when Verstappen opens the envelope for Rally Car of the Year, as the Volkswagen Polo R WRC beats WRC rivals Citroen, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford, plus the Dakar X-raid Mini and the R-GT Porsche to the honour.
VW Motorsport boss Jost Capito comes up to collect it, but says it's tech chief Francois-Xavier Demaison - or 'FX' - who should be there.
VW Motorsport boss Jost Capito comes up to collect it, but says it's tech chief Francois-Xavier Demaison - or 'FX' - who should be there.
Rider asks Sainz how relieved he was to get a 2015 Toro Rosso drive after it had initially seemed he would miss it.
Sainz gives Verstappen a friendly pat on the shoulder and says he was "very relieved" after a hard few months.
Now Verstappen is talking the crowd through his historic first F1 practice outings, which he describes as "nothing special really" - which gets a few laughs.
Sainz gives Verstappen a friendly pat on the shoulder and says he was "very relieved" after a hard few months.
Now Verstappen is talking the crowd through his historic first F1 practice outings, which he describes as "nothing special really" - which gets a few laughs.
Back to awards voted for by readers, and 2015 Toro Rosso F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr take to the stage to announce the rallying awards.
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"It's probably the first race win at Kyalami [in 1974]," says Murray when asked for his best memory in motorsport.
He continued: "Winning Le Mans [in 1995] was special because we weren't supposed to win against the prototypes."
He continued: "Winning Le Mans [in 1995] was special because we weren't supposed to win against the prototypes."
David Brabham, son of triple world champion Jack Brabham, is onstage to present the award to Murray.
Legendary Formula 1 designer Gordon Murray has received the 2014 John Bolster award 40 years after his first of his designs took a Grand Prix victory.
During his tenure with Brabham, Murray famously produced the BT46B ‘fan car’ that was banned after one race in 1978. He moved onto McLaren in 1987 and was part of the design team on the dominant MP4-4 in 1988. After four consecutive double titles at McLaren, Murray then headed up the McLaren Cars offshoot and designed the McLaren F1 road car.
During his tenure with Brabham, Murray famously produced the BT46B ‘fan car’ that was banned after one race in 1978. He moved onto McLaren in 1987 and was part of the design team on the dominant MP4-4 in 1988. After four consecutive double titles at McLaren, Murray then headed up the McLaren Cars offshoot and designed the McLaren F1 road car.
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"Many people in motor sport didn't think we would make the first race - even we ourselves had doubts - it was a bit of a challenge," says Agag.
"Everything worked. We had so much help from the motorsport world.
"We had Williams doing our batteries, McLaren doing our motors and Donington where we are based."
Agag offers Button an alternative to Formula 1 if he wants to join the Formula E grid next season.
"Everything worked. We had so much help from the motorsport world.
"We had Williams doing our batteries, McLaren doing our motors and Donington where we are based."
Agag offers Button an alternative to Formula 1 if he wants to join the Formula E grid next season.
Button has remained on stage to present the award to Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag.
The new all-electric FIA Formula E championship has been honoured with the 2014 Pioneering and Innovation award.
The series is two rounds into its debut season as Lucas di Grassi and Sam Bird claimed victory in the Beijing and Putrajaya races respectively.
The series is two rounds into its debut season as Lucas di Grassi and Sam Bird claimed victory in the Beijing and Putrajaya races respectively.
Solberg adds that he's been "really impressed" with Hamilton's F1 season too, and the Briton's commitment.
"Nothing happens unless you really want it," the Norwegian concludes.
"Nothing happens unless you really want it," the Norwegian concludes.
Now Solberg is mulling over why 1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve's rallycross exploits weren't as successful as his own. He doesn't comment on Villeneuve's struggles, but notes that personally he's "always given 110 per cent"...
Rider moves on to trying to line up a World RX drive for Button, who remains on stage grinning at the prospect.
Rider moves on to trying to line up a World RX drive for Button, who remains on stage grinning at the prospect.
Solberg talks about all the things he considered doing after his WRC career came to a (temporary?) end, and says his priority was making sure he raced somewhere that would leave him smiling - and rallycross has ticked that box.
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Button is here to present our first Gregor Grant Award.
Named in honour of AUTOSPORT's founder, it celebrate an extraordinary contribution to motorsport - and it goes to the 2003 World Rally and now 2014 World Rallycross champion Petter Solberg.
Named in honour of AUTOSPORT's founder, it celebrate an extraordinary contribution to motorsport - and it goes to the 2003 World Rally and now 2014 World Rallycross champion Petter Solberg.
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"I've got a new Japanese number," says Button, "maybe that's why I haven't heard anything [from McLaren].
"Do you think I should be racing in F1 next year?" asks Button - cue rapturous applause from the Great Room.
"Do you think I should be racing in F1 next year?" asks Button - cue rapturous applause from the Great Room.
Jenson Button is making his way to the stage to present the next awards as a montage of his Formula 1 career plays in the background.
Cycling superstar Mark Cavendish and his wife, model turned Rally GB co-driver Peta Todd, are next on Hope-Frost's list. Unsurprisingly for Henry, he's straight onto rally chat...
Hope-Frost gives a quick nod to the Le Mans top brass in the audience before taking his mic to three-time Le Mans winner and now also one-time grand prix starter Andre Lotterer about his sportscar success and that Caterham outing.
"It was amazing to be an F1 driver for a weekend. It was a little bit late for me, but it was amazing challenge."
"It was amazing to be an F1 driver for a weekend. It was a little bit late for me, but it was amazing challenge."
Henry Hope-Frost is now out in the audience tracking down some of the other stars present, including European F3 champion Esteban Ocon, who is talking of his hopes of getting some form of F1 role for 2015 after his recent Lotus tests.
Hamilton presents karting stars Enaam Ahmed, Lando Norris and Teddy Wilson with their trophies, and offers them some sage advice on ignoring anyone who tries to hold them back.
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"It was a lot heavier when I was younger," says Hamilton of the AUTOSPORT Award trophy.
Recalling his relationship with Mercedes team-mate Rosberg, Hamilton said: "I met Nico in 1997 and we were racing in Italy. He was a top up-and-coming-driver then and we had a tough season racing together.
"We had some incredible good times through those years.
"[In Formula 1] it's such an intense battle between team-mates. I wish I could tell you some of the things that were said but I can't."
Hamilton wishes Jenson Button will join him on the grid next season and remembers it was an engine from Button's father John who powered him when he was karting in 1995.
Recalling his relationship with Mercedes team-mate Rosberg, Hamilton said: "I met Nico in 1997 and we were racing in Italy. He was a top up-and-coming-driver then and we had a tough season racing together.
"We had some incredible good times through those years.
"[In Formula 1] it's such an intense battle between team-mates. I wish I could tell you some of the things that were said but I can't."
Hamilton wishes Jenson Button will join him on the grid next season and remembers it was an engine from Button's father John who powered him when he was karting in 1995.
AUTOSPORT readers have, unsurprisingly, chosen Lewis Hamilton as the 2014 International Racing Driver of the Year.
Hamilton scored 11 Formula 1 victories on his way to a second world drivers’ title as he edge out Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 67 points.
Hamilton scored 11 Formula 1 victories on his way to a second world drivers’ title as he edge out Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 67 points.
Tinie Tempah recalls a night out with Hamilton before the 2014 Australian Grand Prix where the Mercedes man predicted all the success ahead of him.
Host Steve Rider implores Hamilton to remain on stage for the next award as hip-hop star Tinie Tempah comes on stage to present the International Racing Driver of the Year award.
The nominees for the International Racing Driver of the Year award are:
Valtteri Bottas – Williams
Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
Andre Lotterer – Audi
Will Power – Penske
Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
Valtteri Bottas – Williams
Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
Andre Lotterer – Audi
Will Power – Penske
Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
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"A lot of people doubted the decision I made to move to this team, but when I sat with Niki [Lauda] and with Ross [Brawn] and they explained all the plans, I knew it was the right move. But I never thought we would dominate," Hamilton continues.
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"Good evening everyone, thanks for the warm welcome. It's a bit surreal being here as the two-time world champion - I remember being here when I was 10!" says Hamilton.
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Brundle announces that the British Competition Driver of the Year is Lewis Hamilton.
Huge cheers for all of those contenders from their friends, family and fans in the room.
First up is British Competition Driver of the Year, the contenders:
Jenson Button
Mike Conway
Anthony Davidson
Lewis Hamilton
Jolyon Palmer
Alex Lynn
Jenson Button
Mike Conway
Anthony Davidson
Lewis Hamilton
Jolyon Palmer
Alex Lynn
Martin Brundle now takes to the stage to present our next awards.
As we prepare for the International Racing Driver of the Year Award, Rider asks for the crowd to send their best wishes to the families of Michael Schumacher and Jules Bianchi, as their battles continue.
To a standing ovation from the crowd, Hamilton makes his way to his table as the big screen replays the highlights of his incredible 2014 battle with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Here comes someone to keep it company: 2014 F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives at the AUTOSPORT Awards.
Mercedes
Anyone think this car looks lonely...?
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Steve Rider is back: "settle back, we've got some surprises and some great stories for you."
And a very big cheer from the Anthony Davidson table as the World Endurance Championship season is reviewed.
Oli Webb's crowd give their man a noisy salute when the European Le Mans Series appears on screen too.
Oli Webb's crowd give their man a noisy salute when the European Le Mans Series appears on screen too.
The audience are now watching a video of highlights from the international motorsport world in 2014. Definite cheer from Alex Lynn's table during the GP3 spot.
Lights dimmed, pounding music playing, AUTOSPORT montage on the big screen. Let's get back to business.
By: Matt Beer, Alex Kalinauckas
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