Bernie Ecclestone, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were among the honourees and big winners at the Autosport Awards, the ‘Biggest Night in Motorsport,’ while rising star Deagen Fairclough claimed the coveted Silverstone Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award.
Hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Lee McKenzie, and taking place on January 29, at London’s iconic Roundhouse in Camden, the star-studded Autosport Awards was attended by elite drivers, industry leaders, celebrities and international royalty in celebration of the stellar 2024 motorsport season. Presented by Qiddiya, the revamped event also kicked off the year that will mark 75 years of Autosport and the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Bernie Ecclestone – the man who transformed F1 from a cottage industry into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise – was presented with Autosport’s 75th Anniversary trophy, marking a motorsport career that has spanned more than six decades. In a moving ceremony led by Martin Brundle, the award was presented by Piero Ferrari, son of Enzo Ferrari, and tributes from His Grace The Duke of Richmond, Lennox and Gordon. In conversation with Martin Brundle, Ecclestone quipped with his trademark wit: “I think I’ve been very bloody lucky.”
Having retained his Formula 1 world drivers’ championship for a fourth successive season, Max Verstappen also became a four-time International Racing Driver of the Year winner. The Dutchman once again claimed the fan-voted accolade after battling to a fourth drivers’ title, an achievement that saw him draw level with Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost. A clear fan favourite in this year’s open vote, Verstappen’s sensational victory in Formula 1’s 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix also won the Moment of the Year prize. He thanked the readers of Autosport for the award, saying “It was a very challenging year with a lot of nice wins, tough moments as well, but of course, the most important thing was to come out on top and that’s what we did as a team. So, I’m very proud of that.”
Verstappen’s close rival in 2024, Lando Norris was named as Autosport’s British Competition Driver of the Year after a sensational season spearheading McLaren’s charge to the top of the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. Norris won his maiden F1 race at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix and would go on to add a further three victories over the course of the season, finishing in second place in the F1 drivers’ championship and helping to carry McLaren to its first championship title in 26 years. Norris and teammate Piastri’s championship-winning McLaren MCL38 Formula 1 contender also won Autosport’s International Competition Car of the Year Award, voted for by fans – their eighth award in the category.
The rising stars of the motorsport world were once again centre stage at this year’s Awards. British driver Abbi Pulling was crowned F1 ACADEMY champion. 21-year-old Pulling sailed to victory in the 2024 season with nine wins out of the series’ 14 races, including a sensational triple pole in Abu Dhabi. As champion, Pulling has been awarded a fully-funded seat in GB3 for 2025.
The Silverstone Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award – that has previously discovered talents like Jenson Button, Lando Norris and George Russell – was won by British Formula 4 champion Deagen Fairclough. The 18-year-old F4 dominator will receive £200,000 and a Formula 1 test with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team at Silverstone. He said: “I am over the moon. To now be on the same list of winners as these fantastic drivers, I hope to follow in their footsteps and make it to F1. The faces I have seen in this room today are incredibly inspirational, and now, at 18 years old, I have the chance to test an F1 car… I can’t put it into words.”
The celebrations continued into the night at the Roundhouse, with Spice Girl and international artist Melanie C performing an exclusive afterparty DJ set.
Full list of award winners:
- 75th Anniversary honoree – Bernie Ecclestone
- International Driver of the Year – Max Verstappen
- British Competition Driver – Lando Norris
- Person of the Year – Andrea Stella
- International Rally Driver of the Year – Sebastien Ogier
- National Driver of the Year – Jake Hill
- International Competition Car – MCL38
- Promoter of the Year – Las Vegas Grand Prix
- Moment of the Year – Verstappen Masterclass in Brazil
- Brand Partnership of the Year – Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% x Scuderia Ferrari
- Pioneering & Innovation – Pirelli – Forest Stewardship Council-certified tyres
- F1 ACADEMY champion – Abbi Pulling
- Young Driver of the Year – Deagen Fairclough
Press release and photos provided by Navigate | Partners.
