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Hamilton wins Autosport's International Racing Driver of the Year Award

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is the winner of Autosport's 2020 International Racing Driver of the Year Award presented by Pirelli

Autosport Awards

The Autosport Awards are a series of awards presented by motor racing magazine Autosport to drivers that have achieved significant milestones each season. Some of the presentations are selected by the general public via a reader's poll.

Hamilton continued his remarkable domination of F1 this year by securing his seventh drivers' world title, matching the record set by Michael Schumacher.

The Mercedes star also surpassed Schumacher's all-time F1 wins record of 91 during the 2020 campaign, and holds the record for the fastest pole position in world championship history, having averaged 164.3mph at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.

PLUS: The hidden side of Hamilton's record-breaking quest

Autosport readers have voted Hamilton the best racing driver of the season, ahead of Red Bull F1 ace Max Verstappen, IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and Formula E title-winner Antonio Felix da Costa.

"A huge thank you to Autosport for continuing to support me all these years and for all you do for the sport," said the 35-year-old.

"And to all the fans who have voted for me - I'm always blown away by the support I receive, through thick and thin. Thank you to you all.

"I know this year will have been such a difficult year but I hope you're staying positive and that 2021 is a great year for you all."

The award, which has been running since 1982, is open to professional racing drivers competing at international level. Hamilton has won the prize more times than any other driver (eight), and this is the sixth time in seven years that he has triumphed.

Former winners include F1 world champions Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and Sebastian Vettel, while the other British drivers on the honours list are Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Jenson Button.

The 2020 edition of the Autosport Awards is taking place online, with increased digital coverage, and continues the tradition of highlighting the best of the motorsport season.

Other categories include International Racing Car of the Year, International Rally Driver of the Year, Rally Car of the Year, British Competition Driver of the Year, Rider of the Year, Richard Mille Rookie of the Year, National Driver of the Year, Moment of the Year presented by Marelli, and the Pioneering and Innovation Award presented by Mahindra.

The Esports Driver of the Year Award presented by Motorsport Games has also been introduced this year.

To find out which other winners Autosport readers have voted for, go to
autosport.com/awards

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