The 2012 AUTOSPORT Awards

Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Loeb enter

Earlier this evening, the AUTOSPORT Awards kicked off in triumphant fashion with the 1,200 guests rising in unison to applaud the Formula 1 and WRC champions as they made their way down the grand staircase into the Great Room.

A standing ovation celebrated Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Loeb in recognition of their stunning achivements this season.

Vettel became the youngest-ever triple world champion last Sunday in that tension-filled climax to the Formula 1 campaign at Interlagos, while Loeb secured his ninth - yes, ninth - World Rally crown largely thanks to a stunning five-round winning streak in the summer.

MABA

You can join in the proceedings and feel part of the event tonight by sharing your views on the Awards and reacting to events as they happen on the stage.

• Who will become the International Racing Driver of the Year? Despite Vettel's stunning success, many acknowledged that Fernando Alonso performed brilliantly and consistently throughout the season. Do you, the AUTOSPORT readership, feel the same way?

• Who got your vote for the 2012 AUTOSPORT.com Rookie of the Year Award?

• Most importantly, who is going to have their name etched on the most coveted trophy of them all – the Mclaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award for 2012?

The answers to these and many more questions will be revealed over the next two hours of coverage, exclusively live from the Grosvenor House hotel.

If you are an AUTOSPORT.com forum member, then click on the 'SHOW LIVE FORUM' link below to begin discussion on the event as it happens.

Jackie Stewart

Earlier this evening, the great and the good from the world of motor sport arrived in the Great Room at the Grosvenor House.

Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb lead a star-studded line-up, supported by past and present heroes of our sport. David Coulthard, Christian Horner, Sir Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, Murray Walker, Jo Ramirez, Rob Smedley and Derek Warwick are all here tonight.

Other top echelons of motor racing are also represented. Paddy Hopkirk, Rob Huff, Steve Soper, Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, Matt Neal, Jason Plato and many others are all here to enjoy this glittering occasion.

The invited guests are just coming towards the end of dinner, and soon the all-important Awards will be presented on the main stage.

The Great Room

Good evening everyone and a very warm welcome to the 2012 AUTOSPORT Awards, from the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, central London.

Since 1982, the world's leading motorsport weekly has celebrated the outstanding achievements of drivers across the racing spectrum, as well as the cars, teams and technical innovations that have become the talk of the sport.

Tonight, the 31st edition of this prestigious awards ceremony will take place, and you will find out who the winners are, live, right here on AUTOSPORT.com.