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Autosport Awards 2016

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And that's a wrap! Lando Norris becomes the 28th winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, to top off a great night of celebrations.

Thank you to all those of you who joined us, and wherever you are enjoy the rest of your evening.
"I need to give a lot of respect to the other drivers - Ricky, Sennan and Toby," adds Norris. "I've raced against them for the past few years, we've given each other a lot of respect and they've made my life hard.

"A big thanks to my mum and dad - they've worked really hard for me - and obviously all the judges, Silverstone, and those who've put it together."
"This guy in his first year, aged 16, was amazing," says Warwick. "The others came back for a second time so there was even more pressure on Lando.

"He was one of the quickest in the DTM and GT car, and he was stunning in the F2 car. We've got I'd say a future grand prix driver and possibly a world champion here beside us."
"I've been pretty nervous coming up to it," says Norris. "It's been great, the racing success this year, but this has really topped it off."
Plenty of praise from Warwick before the announcement for Norris, who is quite rightly mobbed by his family before making his way to the stage.
As you may well be seeing, there's a video reel now from the MABA assessment days to set the scene before the award announcement.
So, it's time for the final award of the night - the big one, the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award. McLaren's Eric Boullier, BRDC chairman Derek Warwick, guest judge David Brabham and Autosport's Kevin Turner have taken to the stage to present the award.
Before we get to the final event, here’s a retro throwback to the to the awarding of the first McLaren Autosport award in 1989, which was won by a young Scot called David Coulthard.
"I've got to say something, sorry," says Mansell. "I was driving with Nico's dad and to see him [Nico] become world champion... we've seen racers, champions, the amazing talent of the engineers.

"People forget that when you are team-mates to a world champion - Lewis is second on the list of all time winners - but Nico beat him this year against the odds. Nico, you're a fantastic champion, many congratulations."

"I lost three world championships, but you do get over it - but basically you don't. There's one person for me who's an incredible champion - we had two of them up on stage in Felipe and Mark but there's another one and that's Stirling."
Nigel Mansell is invited up onto the stage to receive the award.
Already, we're round to the penultimate award of the evening. This time it's the Gregor Grant award, named after Autosport's founder.

Chris Hoy is on stage to present the award.
Steve Rider leads an entertaining next section, as he asks Lowe about his team orders to Hamilton.

"When I told Lewis to speed up, the next debate came from Toto to say 'tell him again, he hasn't done it'!," he says.

"I thought it was a great race and a great result that hopefully will bring new fans to the result. It's worth remembering in Monaco that we asked Nico to let Lewis past - that was my other team order of the year - and he did so within one corner."
Before we move onto the penultimate event of the evening, it's time to check in with the last MABA finalist - and last but by no means least in the rundown in Toby Sowery.

The 20-year-old started the BRDC British F3 season without a permanent deal with Lanan Racing, but put any uncertainty to one side to record the equal-highest number of wins (five, joint with fellow finalist Collard) and end the year in third place overall.
Q&A: McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist Toby Sowery
"It's a great opportunity to make an announcement that I'm not retiring," says Lowe, met with a chuckle from the crowd. "I gather there's been a bit of debate; I've been with Mercedes for 22 years now so I see no reason for that to change.

"The first point to acknowledge is the great records we've set; the great design team you've seen earlier, the pitwall team and those who exploit that car on the track. But we couldn't have done it without the drivers.

"Those [Nico's] will be very difficult shoes to fill. I'm a very logical person - so there are old blokes who maky want to come back, then there are young blokes like Pascal, then there are those in the middle who are all signed up - that's our range."
Mercedes' Executive director Paddy Lowe is invited to the stage to receive the award.
Sir Patrick Head is welcomed to the stage next, to present the John Bolster award.
Back on stage, Brown presents 1:8 scale models of Massa's Ferrari F2008 and Webber's 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid to the pair for their accomplishments in motorsport.
There's special recognition now for two retiring big hitters - Mark Webber and Felipe Massa.

"I felt sorry for Nico, but you can see how happy he is," says Webber. "I've put on six kilos since I stopped being an F1 driver!"

On his retirement, Massa says: "It's a big pleasure to be here. In 2002 I got a trophy here and it's a dream - for the kids and drivers to receive something is a big motivation.

"After 15 years it is the right time - I never expected to feel that emotion. The fans in Brazil were great, bit so was everyone I worked with."
Next up on the list of MABA finalists is Lando Norris – whose name you’ll no doubt be starting to become familiar with.

After claiming the MSA Formula (now F4 British Championship) title last year, Norris contested four championships this year – plus the European F3 season finale and the Macau Grand Prix – winning three of them.

Those of you who joined us earlier in the night will know that he has already picked up one award this evening (British Club Driver), but will he add a second later on?
Q&A: McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist Lando Norris
Rosberg has long left the stage now, but here's the moment he entered the hall earlier in the night.
Zak Brown is up on stage now, speaking about the Autosport brand plus his role with McLaren.
"First of all thank you much for this - it's my first time here and I'm really impressed," says Wehrlein. "It's been a fantastic season with many highlights - particularly making Q2 and points in Austria."

On a potential seat with Mercedes: "One season in F1 is not a lot but I feel ready for the job and confident - I'm sure Toto's phone is overheating after Friday.

"I've done most days with the 2017 tyres and I think it's very important to have that experience."
On the subject of engineering a new challenger, and what 2017 cars will be like, Costa says: "In terms of spectacle it's different to say. The cars will be faster by some seconds, and more difficult to drive - it will hopefully be more spectacular."

By: Geoff Creighton

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