Racing stars honoured at London award ceremonies

The great and the good of British motorsport strutted their stuff at two major award ceremonies in London last weekend - but Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton only turned up at one of them!

The Autosport Awards attracted 1,200 dinner-suited guests to the Grosvenor House in Mayfair for a truly corporate affair co-hosted by David Coulthard and Lee McKenzie - last year it was professional presenter Steve Ryder - with all the touches of the US owners who occupied 18 of the hundred or so tables otherwise occupied by tracks such as the Bahrain International Circuit, teams such as Williams and Fortec, or suppliers like Motodirect.

Nelson Piquet made an emotional appearance to receive a lifetime achievement award and Robert Kubica, having made a remarkable recovery from injury, talked about his future in F1 without giving too much away.

A day later, a more select 400 guests turned up for the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) lunch at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane. By comparison, it was the equivalent of dress-down Monday, the dress code being lounge suits with some having the temerity of being sans tie as the BRDC returned to the Hilton after 30 years!

But it was the one Lewis Hamilton did turn up to, along with fellow world champions Brendon Hartley, Timo Bernhard and Earl Bamber, the victorious Porsche team members in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Hamilton was the recipient of two BRDC Gold Stars, for the strongest performance of the year in international motor racing and winning the F1 world title, to become the most decorated club member, surpassing Stirling Moss's previous high of 10 awards.

Although gracing the lunch for a mere half an hour, and very dressed down, it was time appreciated hugely by BRDC members as Hamilton spoke fondly of the club and the part it had played in his early career.

Interviewed by sports pundit Jake Humphrey, Hamilton spoke eloquently and amusingly about his year, the rivalry with Sebastian Vettel and his ambitions which, interestingly did not include surpassing Michael Schumacher’s seven world championships - but certainly did include winning the title again next year. He was awarded an enthusiastic standing ovation as he left the stage.

The BRDC has a roll call of legends like no other, many of whom were in attendance, including Martin Brundle, Derek Warwick, David Coulthard and Dario Franchitti. The final presentation was an emotional one as Derek Warwick, having just retired as BRDC President, received a Gold Medal for his services. It was made by Martin Brundle who told how, as a burgeoning F1 driver, he was shown the ropes by Warwick.

Watching all this and drinking in the history - and the future, as a roll call of young British drivers stepped up to receive their awards - was F1 boss Chase Carey. He was seated next to BRDC chairman John Grant, and seemed to be enjoying himself immensely - a good sign for all British racing fans as negotiations for renewal of the F1 grand prix contract will start to get serious in the coming year.

2017 BRDC Annual Award Winners

The John Cooper Trophy – George Russell
For a GP3 or FIA European Formula 3 driver with the potential to become a future World Champion

The Spencer Charrington Trophy – Lando Norris
For the highest-placed British driver in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship

The Richard Seaman Trophy – Lando Norris
For the highest-placed BRDC Member in the Gold Star points competition outside of Formula One

The Nigel Moores Trophy – Jackie Chan DC Racing Jota
For the most meritorious performance in international motor racing by a private entrant

The Fairfield Trophy – Jonny Adam
For an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member

The ACO Plate – Oliver Jarvis
On behalf of the Automobile Club De L’Ouest to the highest placed British driver at the Le Mans 24 Hour race

The Silverstone–Le Mans Challenge – Porsche: Brendon Hartley, Timo Bernhard and Earl Bamber
For the driver or team achieving the highest combined finishing record of the Silverstone LMS race and the Le Mans 24 Hour race

The Earl Howe Trophy – Sam Bird
For the British driver delivering the most meritorious performance of the year in North America

The John Cobb Memorial Trophy – Rick Parfitt Jnr and Seb Morris
For a success of outstanding character achieved by a British driver, in a British car

The Woolf Barnato Trophy – Aston Martin: Darren Turner and Jonny Adam
To the highest placed British driver or team, in a British car, in the Le Mans 24 Hour race

The Colin Chapman Trophy – Trevor Carlin
A special BRDC award to an individual displaying great team spirit be it a driver, team owner or engineer

The ERA Club Trophy – Aston Martin: Darren Turner and Jonny Adam
For the British drivers, driving a British car, establishing the most meritorious performance in the year outside of the UK

The Innes Ireland Trophy – Rick Parfitt Jnr
For the driver best displaying qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomised by the late Innes Ireland

The Henry Surtees Award – Stuart Middleton and Will Tregurtha
For the most outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star

The Sir Jackie Stewart Award – Andrew Green (Force India)
For a motorsport engineer who has shown brilliance during the course of the season

The Bruce McLaren Trophy – Brendon Hartley
For the Commonwealth driver establishing the most meritorious performances in international motor racing

The Jim Clark Trophy – Enaam Ahmed
For the winner of the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship

The Chris Bristow Trophy – Dan Ticktum
For the winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award

The Graham Hill Trophy – Harrison Scott
For the most meritorious performance by a British driver in single seater racing

The Johnny Wakefield Trophy – Lewis Hamilton MBE
For the fastest lap of the season at Silverstone Grand Prix circuit

BRDC President’s Award – James Calado
In recognition of winning the FIA GT World Endurance Championship

BRDC Silver Star – Daniel Cammish
For the strongest performance of the year by a Member in domestic championships (Points accumulation)

Special BRDC Gold Star – Brendon Hartley
BRDC Member winning the FIA World Endurance Championship

BRDC Gold Star – Lewis Hamilton MBE
For the strongest performance of the year by a Member in international championships (Points accumulation)

BRDC Gold Medal – Derek Warwick
Club’s highest recognition of achievement in, and contribution to, the Club and the sport of motor racing