The 2009 AUTOSPORT Awards
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Congratulations to all our Award winners tonight. They are sure to provide motorsport fans with more great moments in 2010.
This was the 28th AUTOSPORT Awards. Thanks for celebrating a marvelous season with us this evening. Stick with AUTOSPORT for more of the world's best motorsport coverage in 2010.
This was the 28th AUTOSPORT Awards. Thanks for celebrating a marvelous season with us this evening. Stick with AUTOSPORT for more of the world's best motorsport coverage in 2010.
So Dean Smith joins an impressive list of Mclaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winners over the last two decades and, as the guests mingle and chat in the Great Room, we look forward to monitoring his progress next season.
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"I've worked hard this year. It has been a phenomenal year and this has just topped it. My heart is racing!
"I'm looking at GP3 and hopefully this will further my career."
Dean Smith, McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner
"I'm looking at GP3 and hopefully this will further my career."
Dean Smith, McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner
Dean Smith
An amazed and delighted Dean Smith makes his way through the cheers of the audience as they give him a standing ovation.
Smith's path to the Formula Renault UK title this year made him a very strong candidate. Despite missing the first two rounds of the season, the Manor Competition driver racked up seven wins on his way to a 34 point championship lead by the end of the year.
Dean Smith is the winner of the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award for 2009!
There is anticipation across the Great Room as one of six young drivers is moments away from a major career boost.
Britain’s last three Formula 1 world champions: Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Damon Hill will present the prestigious accolade.
The prize on offer is amazing, and sets drivers on a path to further success.
• £50,000 towards their racing future
• Full membership of the British Racing Drivers' Club
• Puma racewear for a year
• A TW Steel watch
• A test in a McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car
• £50,000 towards their racing future
• Full membership of the British Racing Drivers' Club
• Puma racewear for a year
• A TW Steel watch
• A test in a McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car
Testing at Sliverstone
For the first time in five years, the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award tests took place at Silverstone – the home of British motorsport and the British Racing Drivers' Club.
The six finalists chosen by the panel from AUTOSPORT readers' nominations took part in two days of running on the Grand Prix circuit with F3 and BTCC cars, as well as a fitness assessment at the Porsche Human Performance Centre.
The seven judges then interviewed the half-dozen at the McLaren Technology Centre, before settling on the outstanding candidate from the best of this year’s British driving talent.
To remind you, these are the six candidates:
• James Colado, 20, Formula Renault UK runner-up
• Adam Christodoulou, 20, Star Mazda series champion
• James Cole, 21, British Formula Ford champion
• Callum Macloed, 21, European F3 Open Cup champion
• Chrissy Palmer, 18, Formula Ford festival winner
• Dean Smith, 21, Formula Renault UK champion
• James Colado, 20, Formula Renault UK runner-up
• Adam Christodoulou, 20, Star Mazda series champion
• James Cole, 21, British Formula Ford champion
• Callum Macloed, 21, European F3 Open Cup champion
• Chrissy Palmer, 18, Formula Ford festival winner
• Dean Smith, 21, Formula Renault UK champion
And so, the moment that many people have been waiting for and the reason why we are all here tonight - the 2009 McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Driver Award.
For one of the six nominated drivers, a dream will be realised and a path to motor racing stardom created in the next few minutes.
For one of the six nominated drivers, a dream will be realised and a path to motor racing stardom created in the next few minutes.
Jenson Button
This is the second time Button has claimed the Award. Back in 2004 he achieved the honour following a solid season in the BAR-Honda.
Keke Rosberg, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher have all received this Award in previous years.
Jenson Button makes it a double as he is revealed as International Racing Driver of the Year.
Murray Walker, recently voted the greatest sports commentator of all time, will present the Award.
Six young hopefuls are nervously waiting to hear their fate, but they will have to wait another few minutes ...
The penultimate Award tonight is the International Racing Driver of the Year Award, which is open to professional drivers competing worldwide. This award often goes to the year’s F1 star, but Nigel Mansell has won it as Indycar title holder.
Last year, world champion Lewis Hamilton claimed his second Award of the evening in this category.
The penultimate Award tonight is the International Racing Driver of the Year Award, which is open to professional drivers competing worldwide. This award often goes to the year’s F1 star, but Nigel Mansell has won it as Indycar title holder.
Last year, world champion Lewis Hamilton claimed his second Award of the evening in this category.
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"The way that Jenson tackled the championship - he's an incredibly honest guy. The second half of the season was tough, Jenson was honest and we absolutely deserve this world championship. He drives beautifully."
Ross Brawn
Ross Brawn
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"It's been a long fight to get here, over the last 10 years of my Formula 1 career - especially over the last year, we've been been through a lot. It was a very tough winter for Brawn and everyone at Honda who was working through the winter.
"It's a year since the Honda news. Coming here to the AUTOSPORT Awards last year was pretty tough. I picked my head up and we worked our asses off. I need to say a massive thank you to everyone at Brawn GP for what we've achieved."
Jenson Button, British Competition Driver of the Year
"It's a year since the Honda news. Coming here to the AUTOSPORT Awards last year was pretty tough. I picked my head up and we worked our asses off. I need to say a massive thank you to everyone at Brawn GP for what we've achieved."
Jenson Button, British Competition Driver of the Year
Jenson Button
Button is applauded by all present in the Great Room as he makes his way to the stage.
The world champion scored the most wins in 2009 and all six came in a dominant first half of the year.
While he often struggled to get the best out of the Brawn and its tyres after that, particularly in qualifying, the absence of mistakes on race day and his determined drive to the title in Brazil made Button a worthy champion.
His title year is capped off as he accepts more silverware for his growing collection.
Britain’s latest world champion, Jenson Button, is crowned British Competition Driver of the Year.
James Corden, star of the hit BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, takes to the stage to hand out the Award.
Dennis wraps up a lengthy appearance on stage and is applauded warmly by the guests.
The British Competition Driver of the Year is presented to an outstanding British driver in any class at International level.
Last year, Allan McNish received the Award in recognition of his amazing night-driving stint at the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Previous winners in this category include great names such as John Watson, Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill.
Last year, Allan McNish received the Award in recognition of his amazing night-driving stint at the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Previous winners in this category include great names such as John Watson, Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill.
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"My career has been - first of all it's most definitely not over - just been so fortunate to be part of the team. We are, I've been doing the calculations, 17 years younger in Formula 1 than Ferrari. I'm fiercely proud of the team it and what it has achieved. We've won one in every four races that the team has participated in."
Ron Dennis, AUTOSPORT Gregor Grant Award
Ron Dennis, AUTOSPORT Gregor Grant Award
Ron Dennis
Hamilton famously approached Dennis at the AUTOSPORT Awards in 1995, leaving his contact details with the then McLaren team boss, which lead to support that has taken Hamilton to world champion.
Dennis' involvement in motorsport stretches back over 40 years, beginning as a 1966 as a mechanic for the Cooper team, working with Jochen Rindt. After starting and managing several teams in the 1970s, he took over the reigns at McLaren in 1980.
Following 10 drivers' and seven constructors' titles, Dennis stepped back from the racing team in 2009 to focus on McLaren's burgeoning road car business.
Hamilton announces that the man who launched his career, McLaren Group chairman, Ron Dennis, is the recipient of a Gregor Grant Award for Lifetime Achievement.
2008 Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will make the next presentation.
The second Gregor Grant Award tonight will see another legend of motorsport join the impressive list of winners.
Enzo Ferrari
A video acceptance by Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo is played to the Great Room.
Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari’s Formula 1 team principal, steps forward to accept the Award.
"His presence is always alive because he's the founder and everyone around the world knows that.
"It's great to see that atmosphere stay around, especially in what's been a difficult year for Ferrari. It's pretty great," Domenicali tells Steve Rider.
80 years this week after the formation of his Scuderia, the Gregor Grant Award goes to Enzo Ferrari.
1979 Formula 1 world champion Jody Scheckter takes to the stage for the next presentation.
We move back to circuit racing, and time now for a very special presentation.
The Gregor Grant Award, named after AUTOSPORT's founder, is presented to motorsport personalities in recognition of lifetime achievement.
Previous recipients of the Gregor Grant Award include Bernie Ecclestone, Sir Jack Brabham, Tom Wheatcroft, Sir Stirling Moss and Professor Sid Watkins.
The Gregor Grant Award, named after AUTOSPORT's founder, is presented to motorsport personalities in recognition of lifetime achievement.
Previous recipients of the Gregor Grant Award include Bernie Ecclestone, Sir Jack Brabham, Tom Wheatcroft, Sir Stirling Moss and Professor Sid Watkins.
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"I'm sure you can imagine it was really frustrating. Losing it [the title] by one point makes me want it even harder for next year."
Mikko Hirvonen, International Rally Driver of the Year
Mikko Hirvonen, International Rally Driver of the Year
Mikko Hirvonen
Hirvonen won four rallies this season and finished on the podium at all but one event, in Argentina, when his engine expired.
His win in Finland was particularly notable, as Loeb couldn't find the pace to beat him, but unfortunately he couldn't recreate that speed at the decisive Rally GB and the Frenchman took the title for a record sixth time.
The Finn steps up on to the stage to claim his Award.
Vatanen announces that his compatriot Mikko Hirvonen is International Rally Driver of the Year.
Citroen's Loeb took a remarkable sixth title but will he again be crowned International Rally Driver of the Year? We are about to find out ...
Citroen C4
Gary Savage, Managing Director of Citroen UK, is on hand to accept the Award.
While Ford's M-Sport run Focus put up a stiff challenge, the versatile C4 again took Loeb to the title with victory in seven rallies - including an incredible five-in-a-row winning streak to start the season.
AUTOSPORT readers have given it this coveted accolade once again, following up success for the C4 in this category last year.
Vatanen reveals that the Citroen C4 WRC is Rally Car of the Year.
FIA presidential candidate and rally legend Ari Vatanen will present both of tonight’s rallying Awards.
Already this evening we have paid homage to the skills and achievements of some of the finest circuit and open wheel racers in the world. Now it is time to move things sideways – quite literally – with the Awards for Rally Car of the Year and International Rally Driver of the Year.
Ford and Citroen once again battled across the globe for supremecy and Mikko Hirvonen got mighty close to toppling the flying Frenchman, Sebastien Loeb, but ultimately missed out on the title by a single point.
The rallying world has received a huge boost in the last few days with the announcement that 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will switch disciplines next season.
Ford and Citroen once again battled across the globe for supremecy and Mikko Hirvonen got mighty close to toppling the flying Frenchman, Sebastien Loeb, but ultimately missed out on the title by a single point.
The rallying world has received a huge boost in the last few days with the announcement that 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will switch disciplines next season.
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"We had over 10 years with stable rules and no real new ideas coming out. This year has been much more of a blue sky, trying to understand what's involved with the new regulations and I love that."
Adrian Newey, Red Bull
Adrian Newey, Red Bull
By: Emlyn Hughes, Geoff Creighton
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