Autosport Awards Explained

The Autosport Awards are a series of awards presented by motor racing magazine Autosport to drivers that have achieved significant milestones each season. Some of the presentations are selected by the general public via a reader's poll. The awards have been presented every year since 1982.[1]

Categories

There are 14 awards made by the magazine – eight of which selected by popular vote and the balance chosen by a panel of experts including Autosport journalists (McLaren Autosport BRDC Award). These are:

Previous winners

Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award

See main article: Autosport BRDC Award.

International Racing Driver Award

YearWinnerSeries
1982 Keke RosbergFormula One
1983 Nelson PiquetFormula One
1984 Niki LaudaFormula One
1985 Alain ProstFormula One
1986 Nigel MansellFormula One
1987 Nigel MansellFormula One
1988 Ayrton SennaFormula One
1989 Jean AlesiInternational Formula 3000
Formula One
1990 Ayrton SennaFormula One
1991 Ayrton SennaFormula One
1992 Nigel MansellFormula One
1993 Nigel MansellCART World Series
1994 Damon HillFormula One
1995 Michael SchumacherFormula One
1996 Damon HillFormula One
1997 Jacques VilleneuveFormula One
1998 Mika HäkkinenFormula One
1999 Mika HäkkinenFormula One
2000 Michael SchumacherFormula One
2001 Michael SchumacherFormula One
2002 Michael SchumacherFormula One
2003 Juan Pablo MontoyaFormula One
2004 Jenson ButtonFormula One
2005 Kimi RäikkönenFormula One
2006 Fernando AlonsoFormula One
2007 Lewis Hamilton[2] Formula One
2008 Lewis Hamilton[3] Formula One
2009 Jenson ButtonFormula One
2010 Sebastian VettelFormula One
2011 Sebastian VettelFormula One
2012 Sebastian VettelFormula One
2013 Sebastian VettelFormula One
2014 Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2015 Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2016 Nico RosbergFormula One
2017 Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2018 Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2019 Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2020 Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2021 Max VerstappenFormula One
2022 Max VerstappenFormula One
2023 Max VerstappenFormula One

International Rally Driver Award

YearWinnerSeries
1982 Michèle MoutonWorld Rally Championship
1983 Stig BlomqvistWorld Rally Championship
1984 Ari VatanenWorld Rally Championship
1985 Timo SalonenWorld Rally Championship
1986 Juha KankkunenWorld Rally Championship
1987 Juha KankkunenWorld Rally Championship
1988 Markku AlénWorld Rally Championship
1989 Miki BiasionWorld Rally Championship
1990 Carlos SainzWorld Rally Championship
1991 Carlos SainzWorld Rally Championship
1992 Didier AuriolWorld Rally Championship
1993 Juha KankkunenWorld Rally Championship
1994 Colin McRaeWorld Rally Championship
1995 Colin McRaeWorld Rally Championship
1996 Tommi MäkinenWorld Rally Championship
1997 Tommi MäkinenWorld Rally Championship
Colin McRae
1998 Tommi MäkinenWorld Rally Championship
1999 Tommi MäkinenWorld Rally Championship
2000 Richard BurnsWorld Rally Championship
2001 Richard BurnsWorld Rally Championship
2002 Marcus GrönholmWorld Rally Championship
2003 Petter SolbergWorld Rally Championship
2004 Sébastien LoebWorld Rally Championship
2005 Sébastien LoebWorld Rally Championship
2006 Sébastien LoebWorld Rally Championship
2007 Marcus GrönholmWorld Rally Championship
2008 Sébastien LoebWorld Rally Championship
2009 Mikko HirvonenWorld Rally Championship
2010 Sébastien LoebWorld Rally Championship
2011 Sébastien LoebWorld Rally Championship
2012 Sébastien LoebWorld Rally Championship
2013 Sébastien OgierWorld Rally Championship
2014 Sébastien OgierWorld Rally Championship
2015 Sébastien OgierWorld Rally Championship
2016 Sébastien OgierWorld Rally Championship
2017 Sébastien OgierWorld Rally Championship
2018 Sébastien OgierWorld Rally Championship
2019 Ott TänakWorld Rally Championship
2020 Elfyn EvansWorld Rally Championship
2021 Sébastien OgierWorld Rally Championship
2022 Kalle RovanperäWorld Rally Championship

National Driver of the Year

YearRacing WinnerSeriesRally WinnerSeries
1982 Tommy ByrneBritish Formula Three Championship Malcolm PatrickBritish Open Rally Championship
1983 Martin BrundleBritish Formula Three Championship Darryl WeidnerBritish Open Rally Championship
1984 Johnny DumfriesBritish Formula Three Championship David LlewellinBritish Open Rally Championship
1985 Andy RouseBritish Touring Car Championship Mark LovellBritish Open Rally Championship
1986 Andy WallaceBritish Formula Three Championship Ken WoodScottish Rally Championship
1987 Johnny HerbertBritish Formula Three Championship Louise Aitken-WalkerBritish Open Rally Championship
1988 JJ LehtoBritish Formula Three Championship Malcolm WilsonBritish Open Rally Championship
1989 Allan McNishBritish Formula Three Championship David LlewellinBritish Open Rally Championship
1990 Robb GravettBritish Touring Car Championship David LlewellinBritish Rally Championship
1991 David CoulthardBritish Formula Three Championship Colin McRaeBritish Rally Championship
1992 Tim HarveyBritish Touring Car Championship Colin McRaeBritish Rally Championship
1993 Kelvin BurtBritish Touring Car Championship Richard BurnsBritish Rally Championship
1994 Gabriele TarquiniBritish Touring Car Championship Malcolm WilsonBritish Rally Championship
1995 John ClelandBritish Touring Car Championship Alister McRaeBritish Rally Championship
1996 Frank BielaBritish Touring Car Championship Gwyndaf EvansBritish Rally Championship
1997 Alain MenuBritish Touring Car Championship Mark HigginsBritish Rally Championship
1998 Rickard RydellBritish Touring Car Championship Martin RoweBritish Rally Championship
1999 Laurent AïelloBritish Touring Car Championship Tapio LaukkanenBritish Rally Championship
2000 Antônio PizzoniaBritish Formula Three Championship Mark HigginsBritish Rally Championship
2001 Takuma SatoBritish Formula Three Championship Justin DaleBritish Rally Championship
2002 Robbie KerrBritish Formula Three Championship Justin DaleBritish Rally Championship
2003 Nelson Piquet Jr.British Formula Three Championship Martin RoweProduction World Rally Championship
2004 James ThompsonBritish Touring Car Championship Guy WilksBritish Rally Championship
2005 Matt NealBritish Touring Car Championship Mark HigginsBritish Rally Championship
2006 Mike ConwayBritish Formula Three Championship Mark HigginsBritish Rally Championship
2007 Jason PlatoBritish Touring Car Championship Mark HigginsBritish Rally Championship
YearWinnerSeries
2008 Oliver TurveyBritish Formula Three Championship
2009 Colin TurkingtonBritish Touring Car Championship
2010 Jason PlatoBritish Touring Car Championship
2011 Matt NealBritish Touring Car Championship
2012 Gordon SheddenBritish Touring Car Championship
2013 Andrew JordanBritish Touring Car Championship
2014 Colin TurkingtonBritish Touring Car Championship
2015 Gordon SheddenBritish Touring Car Championship
2016 Gordon SheddenBritish Touring Car Championship
2017 Lando NorrisFIA Formula 3 European Championship
2018 Dan TicktumFIA Formula 3 European Championship
2019 Colin TurkingtonBritish Touring Car Championship
2020 Harry KingPorsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
2021 Ashley SuttonBritish Touring Car Championship
2022 Tom IngramBritish Touring Car Championship

Racing Car of the Year

YearWinnerType
1982Porsche 956Group C
1983Brabham BT52Formula One
1984McLaren MP4/2Formula One
1985Williams FW10BFormula One
1986Williams FW11Formula One
1987Jaguar XJR-8Group C
1988McLaren MP4/4Formula One
1989Sauber C9Group C
1990Tyrrell 019Formula One
1991Jordan 191Formula One
1992Williams FW14BFormula One
1993Williams FW15CFormula One
1994Benetton B194Formula One
1995Williams FW17Formula One
1996Williams FW18Formula One
1997Williams FW19Formula One
1998McLaren MP4/13Formula One
1999McLaren MP4/14Formula One
2000Ferrari F1-2000Formula One
2001Ferrari F2001Formula One
2002Ferrari F2002Formula One
2003Bentley Speed 8Le Mans Prototype
2004Ferrari F2004Formula One
2005McLaren MP4-20Formula One
2006Renault R26Formula One
2007McLaren MP4-22Formula One
2008McLaren MP4-23Formula One
2009Brawn BGP 001Formula One
2010Red Bull RB6Formula One
2011Red Bull RB7Formula One
2012Red Bull RB8Formula One
2013Red Bull RB9Formula One
2014Mercedes F1 W05 HybridFormula One
2015Mercedes F1 W06 HybridFormula One
2016Mercedes F1 W07 HybridFormula One
2017Mercedes AMG F1 W08 EQ Power+Formula One
2018Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+Formula One
2019Mercedes AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+Formula One
2020Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ PerformanceFormula One
2021Red Bull RB16BFormula One
2022Red Bull RB18Formula One
2023Red Bull RB19Formula One

Rally Car of the Year

YearWinnerType
1982Audi Quattro A1Group B Rally Car
1983Audi Quattro A2Group B Rally Car
1984Peugeot 205 T16Group B Rally Car
1985MG Metro 6R4Group B Rally Car
1986Peugeot 205 T16Group B Rally Car
1987Lancia Delta HF IntegraleGroup A Rally Car
1988Lancia Delta HF IntegraleGroup A Rally Car
1989Lancia Delta HF IntegraleGroup A Rally Car
1990Toyota Celica GT-FourGroup A Rally Car
1991Lancia Delta HF IntegraleGroup A Rally Car
1992Subaru Legacy RSGroup A Rally Car
1993Ford Escort RS CosworthGroup A Rally Car
1994Subaru Impreza 555Group A Rally Car
1995Subaru Impreza 555Group A Rally Car
1996Subaru Impreza 555Group A Rally Car
1997Subaru Impreza WRC97World Rally Car
1998Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VGroup A Rally Car
1999Toyota Corolla WRCWorld Rally Car
2000Ford Focus RS WRCWorld Rally Car
2001Ford Focus RS WRCWorld Rally Car
2002Peugeot 206 WRCWorld Rally Car
2003Citroën Xsara WRCWorld Rally Car
2004Citroën Xsara WRCWorld Rally Car
2005Citroën Xsara WRCWorld Rally Car
2006Ford Focus RS WRCWorld Rally Car
2007Ford Focus RS WRCWorld Rally Car
2008Citroën C4 WRCWorld Rally Car
2009Citroën C4 WRCWorld Rally Car
2010Citroën C4 WRCWorld Rally Car
2011Mini John Cooper Works WRCWorld Rally Car
2012Citroën DS3 WRCWorld Rally Car
2013Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes PeakPikes Peak car
2014Volkswagen Polo R WRCWorld Rally Car
2015Volkswagen Polo R WRCWorld Rally Car
2016Volkswagen Polo R WRCWorld Rally Car
2017Ford Fiesta WRCWorld Rally Car
2018Ford Fiesta WRCWorld Rally Car
2019Toyota Yaris WRCWorld Rally Car
2020Toyota Yaris WRCWorld Rally Car
2021Toyota Yaris WRCWorld Rally Car
2022Toyota GR Yaris Rally1World Rally Car

British Competition Driver of the Year

YearWinnerSeries
1982John WatsonFormula One
1983Jonathan PalmerEuropean Formula Two
1984Derek BellWorld Endurance Championship
1985Nigel MansellFormula One
1986Nigel MansellFormula One
1987Jonathan PalmerFormula One
1988Martin BrundleWorld Sports-Prototype Championship
1989Nigel MansellFormula One
1990Martin BrundleWorld Sports-Prototype Championship
1991Nigel MansellFormula One
1992Derek WarwickSportscar World Championship
1993Damon HillFormula One
1994David CoulthardInternational Formula 3000
Formula One
1995Damon HillFormula One
1996Damon HillFormula One
1997Mark BlundellCART
1998Dario FranchittiCART
1999Eddie IrvineFormula One
2000David CoulthardFormula One
2001David CoulthardFormula One
2002David CoulthardFormula One
2003Jenson ButtonFormula One
2004Andy PriaulxEuropean Touring Car Championship
2005Dan WheldonIndy Racing League
2006Jenson ButtonFormula One
2007Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2008Allan McNishLe Mans Series
2009Jenson ButtonFormula One
2010Dario FranchittiIndyCar Series
2011Jenson ButtonFormula One
2012Jenson ButtonFormula One
2013Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2014Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2015Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2016Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2017Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2018Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2019Lando NorrisFormula One
2020Lando NorrisFormula One
2021Lando NorrisFormula One
2022Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2023Lando NorrisFormula One

Rookie of the Year

YearWinnerSeries
2000 Jenson ButtonFormula One
2001 Juan Pablo MontoyaFormula One
2002 Mark WebberFormula One
2003 Dan WheldonIndy Racing League
2004 A. J. AllmendingerChamp Car
2005 Tiago MonteiroFormula One
2006 Lewis HamiltonGP2 Series
2007 Lewis HamiltonFormula One
2008 Sebastian VettelFormula One
2009 Kris MeekeIntercontinental Rally Challenge
2010 Kamui KobayashiFormula One
2011 Paul di RestaFormula One
2012 Mathéo TuscherFIA Formula Two Championship
2013 Jules BianchiFormula One
2014 Daniil KvyatFormula One
2015 Max VerstappenFormula One
2016 Pascal WehrleinFormula One
2017 Charles LeclercFIA Formula 2 Championship
2018 Charles LeclercFormula One
2019 Alexander AlbonFormula One
2020 Oscar PiastriFIA Formula 3 Championship
2021 Oscar PiastriFIA Formula 2 Championship
2022 Zhou GuanyuFormula One
2023 Oscar PiastriFormula One

Moment of the Year

YearWinner
2008James Allen & Martin Brundle TV commentary
align=center colspan=2not awarded in 2009
2010Heikki Kovalainen's car catches fire[4]
align=center colspan=2not awarded between 2011 and 2018
2019Jean-Éric Vergne – the first driver to win multiple Formula E titles
2020Pierre Gasly's win for Scuderia AlphaTauri
align=center colspan=2not awarded in 2021
2022George Russell’s first Formula 1 victory

Pioneering and Innovation Award

YearWinner
2004SAFER barrier
2005GP2 Series
2006Audi R10 TDI
2007HANS device
2008Singapore Grand Prix
2009F1 in Schools
2010McLaren (F-duct)
2011Senna
2012FIA medical team
DeltaWing
2013Nissan GT Academy
2014FIA Formula E Championship
2015McLaren Applied Technologies
2016Frédéric Sausset
2017Not awarded
2018FIA (halo)
2019W Series
202024 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
2021Alejandro Agag

John Bolster Award for technical achievement

Named in honour of the technical editor of Autosport from 1950 to 1984.

YearWinnerNote
1985David GouldGould-Hart 84/2
1986Paul Squires & Phil KidsleyBrabham BT28-PKS003 Lysholm
1987Karl SchollarSpectre-KTM
1988George BewleyBewley-Jawa
1989Ray RowanRoman-Hart IVH
1990Harvey PostlethwaiteTyrrell 019
1991Ross BrawnJaguar XJR-14
1992Patrick HeadWilliams FW14B
1993McLaren InternationalMcLaren MP4/8
1994Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz 500I engine
1995McLaren InternationalMcLaren F1 GTR
1996Renault SportRenault V10 Formula One engine(s)
1997ThrustSSCWorld land speed record
1998Ken Tyrrell
1999Don Panoz
Jackie Stewart
2000AudiAudi R8
2001Roger PenskePenske
2002Ross BrawnFor achievements in Scuderia Ferrari
2003Ralph Firman Sr.Van Diemen
2004HondaFor achievements in Formula One and Indy
2005Pat Symonds
John ForceFor achievements in drag racing
2006MichelinFor achievements in motor racing
2007Patrick HeadFor achievements in his career
2008Carl Haas for Newman/Haas/Lanigan RacingFor technical achievement
2009Adrian NeweyFor technical achievement
2010BridgestoneFor achievements in Formula One
Chip GanassiFor achievements in IndyCar and NASCAR
2011Giampaolo Dallara for DallaraFor technical achievement
2012Peter SauberFor technical achievement
Bob DanceFor achievements in his career
2013McLarenFor achievements in motor racing
2014Gordon MurrayFor technical achievement
2015Eddie JordanFor achievements in motor racing
PorscheFor success in the WEC
2016Paddy LoweFor achievements in motor racing
2017Pierre Fillon for Automobile Club de l'Ouest24 Hours of Le Mans
2018Toto WolffFor achievements with Mercedes-AMG
2019Charlie WhitingPosthumous award; for his contributions to motor racing

Gregor Grant Award

YearWinner
1989John Webb
1990Mario Andretti
1991Eric Broadley
Mazda
1992Bobby Rahal
1993Murray Walker
Colin McRae
1994Alain Prost
1995Leo Mehl
Emerson Fittipaldi
1996Dale Earnhardt
Gérard "Jabby" Crombac
1997Johnny Mowlem
1998Lord March
Klaus Ludwig
Alex Zanardi
1999Sid Watkins
2000Hannu Mikkola
2001Frank Williams
Juan Pablo Montoya
2002Juan Pablo Montoya
Tom Wheatcroft
2003Alex Zanardi
Fernando Alonso
Scuderia Ferrari
2004Carlos Sainz
2005Bernie Ecclestone
Tom Kristensen
2006Andy Priaulx
Jack Brabham
James Winslow
2007Dario Franchitti
Fabrizio Giovanardi
2008Stirling Moss
Ari Vatanen
2009Enzo Ferrari
Ron Dennis
2010Rubens Barrichello
Jackie Stewart
2011Damon Hill
Dan Wheldon
2012Sébastien Loeb
Jimmy McRae
2013Niki Lauda
John Surtees
2014Richard Petty
Petter Solberg
2015Nico Hülkenberg
Alan Jones
2016Nigel Mansell
2017Nelson Piquet
Derek Warwick
2018Mika Häkkinen
Jacky Ickx
Stéphane Ratel
2019Dick Bennetts
Monaco Grand Prix

Rider of the Year

YearWinnerSeries
2016 Marc MárquezMotoGP
2017 Marc MárquezMotoGP
2018 Marc MárquezMotoGP
2019 Marc MárquezMotoGP
2020 Joan MirMotoGP

Esports Driver of the Year

YearWinner
2020Sebastian Job
2021Frederik Rasmussen

Gold Medal Award

YearWinner
2021Jean Todt
2022Roger Penske

Former awards

British Club Driver of the Year

YearWinnerSeries
1982Martin BolsoverBritish Hill Climb Championship
1983Martin BolsoverBritish Hill Climb Championship
1984Rod BirleyModified Saloon Car Championship
1985Chris CramerBritish Hill Climb Championship
1986Paul WarwickFormula Ford 1600
1987Eddie IrvineBritish Formula Ford Championship
1988Allan McNishFormula Vauxhall
1989David CoulthardFormula Ford 1600
1990Warren HughesBritish Formula Ford Championship
1991Kelvin BurtFormula Vauxhall
1992Oliver GavinFormula Vauxhall
1993Dario FranchittiFormula Vauxhall
1994James MatthewsFormula Renault UK
1995Guy SmithFormula Renault UK
1996Peter DumbreckFormula Vauxhall
1997Doug BellFormula Vauxhall Junior
1998Richard LyonsFormula Vauxhall Junior
1999Andy PriaulxRenault Spider Championship
2000Michael CaineTVR Tuscan Challenge
2001Mike JordanBritish GT Championship
2002Danny WattsFormula Renault UK
2003Lewis HamiltonFormula Renault UK
2004James PickfordSEAT León Cupra Cup
2005Andrew KirkaldyBritish GT Championship
2006Sam BirdFormula Renault UK
2007Duncan TappyFormula Renault UK
2008Adam ChristodoulouFormula Renault UK
2009Sarah MooreGinetta Junior Championship
2010Tom BlomqvistFormula Renault UK
2011Alex LynnFormula Renault UK
2012Scott MalvernFormula Renault BARC
2013Daniel CammishBritish Formula Ford Championship
2014Ben BarnicoatFormula Renault NEC
2015Will PalmerBRDC Formula 4 Championship
2016Lando NorrisFormula Renault Eurocup
2017Enaam AhmedBRDC British Formula 3

Sportsman Award

YearWinner
1989Al Unser Jr.
1990Eliseo Salazar
1991Johnny Herbert[5]

Notes and References

  1. Autosport magazine, page 56 (October 9, 2008)
  2. News: Lewis named Driver of the Year . ITV-F1.com . 2008-12-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081209000218/http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=44730 . 2008-12-09 .
  3. News: Autosport Awards 2008 . UpdateF1.com . 2008-12-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081211034959/http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1228764517/formula_one/F1headlines/Autosport-Awards-2008/view.html . 2008-12-11 .
  4. Web site: LG Moment of 2010: Kovalainen's fire.
  5. Autosport magazine, page 29 (December 12, 1991)