Webber wins Bruce McLaren Award.

Mark Webber signed off a momentous few weeks in his career when he received the prestigious Bruce McLaren Award from TAG McLaren Group boss, Ron Dennis, at the annual BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club) Awards ceremony.

It's second time that Webber, who was recently announced as Benetton's test driver for 2001, has won the award that is presented for the most meritorious performance by a Commonwealth driver.

Past winners of the award, presented to Webber at London's Grosvenor House yesterday (Nov 25)
include New Zealanders, Denny Hulme and Mike Thackwell, Canadians Paul Tracey and Jacques Villeneuve and fellow Australians Alan Jones and both Geoff and David Brabham.

The imposing silver cup was originally awarded to Bruce McLaren for his second place in the 1965 Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport but was later presented to the BRDC as a perpetual memorial trophy by McLaren's widow, Pat.

Webber, who finished third in this year's FIA International F3000 Championship, commented, "It's nice to receive an award from my peers as a way of their acknowledgment of my efforts in 2000. Britain is the home of the international motorsport industry, so to win an award here is very special."

Webber joined a number of top international drivers at the ceremony, including British stars, David Coulthard and Jenson Button, who both scooped a number of awards, with Coulthard collecting the BRDC Gold Star.

The evening was also attended by Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Frank Williams, Jackie Stewart, Ron Dennis, Ken Tyrrell, Martin Brundle, Gil de Ferran and David Brabham, as well as three of Britain's Olympic gold medallists from the Sydney 2000 Games, Stephanie Cook, Audley Harrison and Richard Faulds.

Webber begins work with Benetton this week when he flies to Monaco to participate in a four day fitness camp before returning to the UK for a one day test at Silverstone on Friday (December 1).