Autosport Awards 2012 winners

The Grosvenor House Hotel played host to the most prestigious Autosport Awards.

(c) Autosport

Motor sport's finest were out in force as awards were given out for fantastic driving and commitments to the sport. Here's a list of the winners and a bit about them.

British Club Driver of the Year: 

Scott Malvern: The 23-year old Brit had a stunning 2012 season in the Formula Renault BARC championship. A former Kart star and Formula Ford champion, Malvern raced to the FR BARC title with three wins and 11 podium finishes, despite switching teams mid-season. He said ""To win a championship in a year you don't think you will race, and to do it on live TV, it's been an epic year. I'm so grateful." 

National Driver of the Year:

Gordon Shedden: After years of racing at the front in the British Touring Car Championship and missing out on the title, Gordon Shedden finally clinched the crown in 2012. The Scottish driver showed consistent speed during the year, scoring eighth wins and 16 overall podiums. He won the National Driver of the Year, known also as the Paul Warwick Trophy. Shedden said "To be up there with Jim Clark and John Cleland as the only Scots to have won the BTCC is pretty special."

Pioneering & Innovation in association with TATA Communications:

This award was given to two winners. The first were the FIA Medical Team, the award not only honouring their skill and the impact they have had on the sport but also the late Professor Sid Watkins, who was the FIA Formula 1 Safety and Medical Delegate for 26 years. He died in September of this year, a great man who did so much for motor racing. His widow Susie said "I'm honoured, and very proud,"

 The award was also given to the Nissan DeltaWing. The super light weight and innovative car was designed by Ben Bowlby and impressed with its speed and pace at the Le Mans 24 Hour race. Bowlby said "Lots of people said it wouldn't work and we kept a wall of shame of notables who said so; people whose sphincters should be tightened a bit now. It might have seemed a bit Del Boy, but it's the coolest thing I've ever worked on.

John Bolster Award:

Like the previous award, this also honoured two people. The first was Peter Sauber, for his outstanding achievements in motorsport. Peter's Sauber F1 Team entered Formula 1 in 1993 after a few years doing sports car series. He expertly guided them through seasons with a number of strong results, despite running on a significantly lower budget than their competitors. The team were taken over my BMW and became race winners, but they were soon back in Peter's control. He helped steer the team to four podium finishes in 2012, but he stepped down from his role as team Principal in May 2012. He said "I'm very surprised; this is a great honour for me."

The other person honoured with this award was Bob Dance. The Former Lotus Chief Engineer was given the award in recognition of his achievements in motor sport. His career in the sport was extensive and he was highly regarded as one of the best, with lots of passion and a keen eye for detail.

Rally Car of the Year:

Citroen DS3 WRC: The French rally car carried Sebastian Loeb to a stunning ninth world championship and was consistently the fastest car of 2012. Whether on dirt, tarmac or even snow the DS3 was a formidable force. Citroen have dominated recent years of the sport, shown by the fact that in the last five years a Citroen machine has won Rally Car of the Year four times. Citroen World Rally Team manager Yves Matton said ""For sure it has been a great era with a great driver, but we also have a great team." 

International Rally Driver of the Year:

Sebastian Loeb: Was there ever any doubt? Loeb swept the field yet again to score a record ninth World Rally Championship, Autosport readers voting him the Rally Driver of the Year for the seventh time. He won nine rallies and set 71 fastest stage times on route to the title. He said "The first world title was special and the 2010 and 2012 ones were very nice though because I won them in the town where I was born, in front of my family and friends."

Gregor Grant Award:

Two people won this award, Sebastian Loeb being the first. It was his second award of the evening, in recognition of his achievements in rallying. Sebastian has re-written all the WRC record books, similar to Michael Schumacher's winning streak at Ferrari.

The other award winner was Jimmy McRae. The father of 1995 WRC champion Colin McRae and former British champion Alister, Jimmy also had a hugely successful career in Rallying. He still remains the most successful British Rally Championship competitor with five British titles. The award recognises his incredible achievements in motor sport.

Rookie of the Year:

Matheo Tuscher: At just 15 years of age, most teenagers are at school or hanging out with their friends. Not Matheo Tuscher. The Swiss driver took the Formula 2 championship by storm, finishing the season in the runner up spot. It was his first year in the series, and the former Formula Pilota China champion took two wins and nine overall podiums. He beat off nominees such as Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo. He said  "My heart is going so fast right now. It's been an incredible season in F2 and we did a super job. Thanks to everyone that's supported me."

British Competition Driver of the Year:

Jenson Button: The Brit had another race winning season at McLaren. The 2009 world champion was awarded the trophy for the fifth time of his career. He won on three occassions in 2012 and finished the year fifth in the constructors. He beat off Lewis Hamilton, Paul Di Resta and Dario Franchitti to win. Button said "It has been a very up and down year for us, but [winning in Brazil] was a great way to end the season and hopefully for all the guys working that'll be good for 2013,"

Racing Car of the Year:

 Red Bull RB8: The Adrian Newey designed machine meant Red Bull won the award for the third time in a row, much like their constructors championship success. The RB8 took Sebastian Vettel to the world championship and Mark Webber to sixth in the standings. The car was particularly strong in the latter part of 2012. The RB8 held off competition from Ferrari, McLaren and the Le Mans-winning Audi R18 e-tron Quattro.

International Racing Driver of the Year:

Sebastian Vettel: The German clinched his third consecutive world championship in 2012. Unlike his 2011 dominance, Vettel had to wait until the season finale in Brazil to take the title. The race was a dramatic one, his Red Bull being spun around on the first lap. He made a true recovery drive to cross the line in sixth place. He won the award for the third year in a row.