Gregor Grant: Fabrizio Giovanardi

British Touring Car Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi has been awarded a Gregor Grant Trophy at the Autosport Awards in London

Jonathan Noble Dec 2, 2007, 10:42 PM

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.

The Italian, whose success this year marks his seventh touring car crown, was presented with his award by former Gregor Grant Award winner World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx.

Giovanardi was overjoyed at receiving the award at the star-studded event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane.

"I think it is great to be here in front of so many people," said Giovanardi. "I never have been in front of so many people! I am very proud to have this prize."

Looking back on his BTCC campaign, where he fought SEAT rival Jason Plato until the final round in Thruxton, Giovanardi admitted he had needed to up his game after a difficult 2006 season.

"This is very special because I went to England last year and it was a very tough season for me," he said. "It is not easy like I thought before I came. So I think this season we did a great job.

"We made a big effort to try and win and I had a good fight with Jason Plato until the end. It was very special. We never know until the end."