Schumacher and Button land 'Bernies' at launch.

Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button added to their silverware collections on the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix, when they received Formula One's equivalent to the Oscars.

Veteran commentator Murray Walker and FIA medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins also picked up their eponymous 'Bernie' awards, which were presented at Circuit de Catalunya in the presence of the F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone.

The deserved recipients were first announced as part of the on-stage entertainment at the inaugural Grand Prix Party at the Royal Albert Hall in February earlier this year, and the Spanish presentation marked an announcement that this 'Gala Evening of Stars, Cars and Guitars', which raised an impressive ?100,000 for the Brain and Spine Foundation, would be an annual fixture of the F1 calendar. The 2002 Grand Prix Party will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London early next year as the curtain raiser to the F1 season.

Schumacher took 'Driver of the Year' after an awe-inspiring series of drives which culminated in the German ace claiming Ferrari's first world championship title since 1979.

Button's form in 2000 was equally impressive when he proved his might as F1's top flight rookie by driving his former team BMW WilliamsF1 in to a points position early in the season. The Brit picked up the 'Newcomer of the Year' award, which will have come as some consolation after his tribulations with this year's Benetton.

The 'Voice of Formula One', Murray Walker, received the prestigious award for his 'Lifetime Achievement' in bringing the sport to the masses, and, on-track neurosurgeon Professor Sid Watkins, was honoured for his 'Outstanding Contribution to the Safety of F1'. Both personalities joined Schumacher and Button to receive their awards in Barcelona after, in true Hollywood style, the 'Bernies' were pinched back from Murray and 'The Prof' at February's Grand Prix Party for engraving.

The 2001 Party was the first event to see stars from the worlds of Formula One and rock music join forces to pay tribute to this hugely popular sport. Jaguar Racing number one Eddie Irvine flew back from important pre-season tests in Valencia and was joined on stage by former F1 world champions Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Jody Scheckter. Other F1 names to appear on stage included Bernie Ecclestone, Ron Dennis, Sir Stirling Moss, Eddie Jordan, Paul Stoddart and Paul Stewart.

Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra provided the musical backdrop, with performances fronted by Five!, Gabrielle, Chris Rea, Mike and the Mechanics, Tony Hadley and Simon Le Bon, before Eddie Jordan, Paul Stewart and Damon Hill brought the crowd to its feet as they joined the musical stars for a true F1 and rock collaboration.

"I'm delighted that the success of the 2001 Grand Prix Party has led to the event becoming a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar," commented music promoter Chas Cole of CMP, "The collaboration between rock and F1 has been long-awaited and I think the annual 'Bernie' awards add tremendously to the event's profile. We're now in talks with the teams and musicians about setting the date as the season curtain raiser. Roll on 2002. "