Autosport.com Rookie of the Year: Jenson Button

Button outqualified Williams team mate Ralf Schumacher six times and scored an impressive 12 points. The young Brit impressed where it mattered most, at the drivers circuits on the F1 calendar at Spa and Suzuka, where he qualified third and fifth respectively.

Praise has come from all quarters with Sir Frank Williams saying 'it's all very impressive,' and technical director Patrick Head commenting 'it was an absolute pleasure to have Jenson in the team' - praise indeed.

The F1 rookie moves to Benetton for next year to make way for Juam Montoya at Williams, but Button remains under contract to Williams and could well return to the team in 2002 so watch this space.

As he accepted the award from Autosport.com's editor Laurence Foster, Button said: "It's been an unbelievable year, I don't think I could have asked for more.

"It's been a difficult year in terms of learning to deal with the press and also dealing with having money, because I've never had any before! But I'm really looking forward to my first run with Benetton on Tuesday - I can't wait."

For a full list of sponsors for the 2000 Autosport Awards, please click here.