Marking 75 Years of Autosport: A New Chapter for the Renowned Motorsport Awards

In 2025, Autosport will celebrate its 75th anniversary, and to honor this milestone, a revamped Autosport Awards ceremony will kick off the festivities with a fresh perspective. This event, which has historically been held in December at the Grosvenor House Hotel, will now take place in January at the Roundhouse, signaling a new era while still honoring its rich heritage.

Historical Roots and Evolution of the Autosport Awards

The origins of the Autosport Awards trace back to 1982, although the inaugural formal ceremony was held in 1988. Back then, readers were invited to vote across eight categories, laying the foundation for what would become one of motorsport’s most anticipated annual events. Today, several of those original categories persist, such as the International Racing Driver, National Racing Driver, British Competition Driver, and International Rally Driver awards. Over time, some categories have merged; for example, the Racing Car and Rally Car awards combined into the current International Competition Car Award.

Legendary Champions and Record Holders

The first recipient of the prestigious International Racing Driver Award was Keke Rosberg, the 1982 Formula 1 World Champion. Since then, the accolade has been awarded to a roster of legendary drivers, including Nelson Piquet, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, and Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, holds the record for the most fan votes, securing this honor eight times.

Current Stars and Notable Achievements

Hamilton also leads the British drivers with eight wins in the British Competition Driver category, with Lando Norris of McLaren currently holding four victories. Both drivers are strong contenders for the 2024 awards, reflecting their ongoing influence and success in the sport.

From Rally Legends to Iconic Race Cars

The Rally Driver of the Year award was first introduced in 1982, with Michele Mouton as the inaugural winner. British rally legends such as Colin McRae, who won three times, and Richard Burns, with two victories, have dominated the category. Notably, Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier share the record with seven wins each, though Ogier remains a candidate for this year’s award, potentially surpassing the record.

In the realm of racing cars, the Audi Quattro revolutionized rallying by winning the first two editions of the Rally Car Award. The Porsche 956 was the recipient of the Racing Car Award in 1982, followed by legendary models like the 1988 McLaren MP4/4, 1992 Williams FW14B, 2004 Ferrari F2004, 2020 Mercedes W11, and the 2023 Red Bull RB19. The last non-F1 vehicle to win was Bentley’s Speed 8 at Le Mans in 2003, highlighting the diversity of celebrated machines over the decades.

Expanding the Honors: Recognizing Future Talent and Contributions

As the awards ceremony grew in stature, additional honors were introduced to celebrate excellence across various facets of motorsport. One of the most significant is the Silverstone Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, formerly known as the McLaren Autosport Award. This accolade aims to identify and nurture promising British talents in single-seater racing, with past winners including David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson, George Russell, Lando Norris, and Dario Franchitti.

Celebrating Achievements and Pioneers

The Young Driver Award has become the highlight of the awards night, with the 2024 winners set to be announced at the Roundhouse on January 29. Over the years, additional categories such as the Pioneering and Innovation Award, Moment of the Year, Autosport Williams Engineer of the Future, Motorsport Promoter, and Brand Partnership have been introduced, often selected by expert panels. Lifetime achievement and technical awards also honor the contributions of industry legends, including the late Gregor Grant, the founding editor of Autosport, and long-serving technical editor John Bolster.

Motorsport Milestones and Personal Stories

The awards have played a role in shaping motorsport history. A notable example is Lewis Hamilton, who famously introduced himself to then-McLaren boss Ron Dennis at the 1995 Autosport Awards when he was just a 10-year-old karting prodigy. Such moments underscore the awards’ significance as a platform for future stars and industry recognition.

Stay Updated on the 2024 Winners

The winners of the 2024 Autosport Awards will be announced on autosport.com, so fans and followers are encouraged to check back on January 29 to see if their favorite drivers and teams have claimed the coveted trophies.

In Summary

• Celebrating 75 years of Autosport in 2025 with a revamped awards ceremony.
• Rich history dating back to 1982, with evolving categories and legendary winners.
• Recognition of outstanding drivers, cars, and innovations shaping motorsport.
• Introduction of new awards to spotlight emerging talent and industry pioneers.
• Key moments and milestones that have defined the sport’s history.

For the latest updates and detailed coverage of the 2024 Autosport Awards, visit autosport.com on January 29. Join us in celebrating the achievements that continue to drive motorsport forward.