THE BEST OF BRITISH MOTOR SPORT CELEBRATED AT THE 2023 BRDC ANNUAL AWARDS

The BRDC celebrated the successes of its Members, SuperStars, and Rising Stars at its Annual Awards lunch, held at the London Marriott on Grosvenor Square on Monday 4 December.  Over 310 people were in attendance, including BRDC President David Coulthard MBE, and Vice Presidents Dario Franchitti MBE, Howden Ganley, John Grant, and Derek Warwick.

An important part of the day was to give support to the BRDC Motor Sport Charity.  Thanks to the generosity of Members and guests, a fantastic £3,680 was raised, helping to provide assistance to individuals in the motor sport community during times of need.

Hosting duties were carried out by Jake Humphrey, who has carried-out that role for over a decade.  Opening the proceedings, Jake Dennis was presented with the Graham Hill Trophy and a Special BRDC Gold Star, in recognition of him winning the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Lando Norris was unable to attend the event but did send a video message to give thanks for being awarded the John Cobb Memorial Trophy for the second time in his career, before McLaren Racing CEO and United Autosports co-owner Zak Brown was given Honorary Membership of the BRDC.  Louis Sharp was then handed the Henry Surtees Award as it had been decided by the Rising Star Scouts that winning this season’s F4 British Championship title was the most outstanding performance of the year by a BRDC Rising Star.

After the Starter Course was served, the next award winners were invited to the stage – led by Ben Waterhouse, Red Bull Racing’s Head of Performance Engineering, who was presented with the Sir Jackie Stewart Award for his role in the team’s dominance this year.  BRDC SuperStar Callum Voisin took the Jim Clark Trophy for winning the GB3 Championship, and Oscar Piastri sent a video message as he was awarded the Bruce McLaren Trophy.

The Colin Chapman Trophy was presented to Richard Dutton, owner of Fortec Motorsports, in recognition of the influence that he has had on the careers of so many successful racing drivers over the years.  A Special Achievement Award was given to former BRDC Board Director and Group C2 World Sportscar Champion Nick Adams, in recognition of his exceptional dedication in advising the BRDC and Silverstone on critical insurance issues over a 15-year period, and former works Van Diemen Formula Ford team boss Johnathan Lewis sent a video message after his efforts in rescuing tourists trapped by this summer's Greek wildfires meant that he was awarded the Innes Ireland Trophy.

With guests enjoying the Lunch Course, the next batch of awards started with Andy Priaulx MBE taking the Earl Howe Trophy for his exploits at this year's Goodwood Revival and Historic Spa Six Hours.  Heart of Racing Team Principal Ian James was handed the ERA Club Trophy, having won the GTD class at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, and Charlie Eastwood’s second place in LMGTE Am at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earned him the Woolf Barnarto Trophy, though he was sadly unable to attend the event at late notice.

Two young drivers finished off this segment, as Zak O’Sullivan’s second place in the FIA Formula 3 Championship earned him the John Cooper Trophy, while Joseph Loake was presented with the Chris Bristow Trophy as he had been announced as the winner of the 2023 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award on the previous evening at the Autosport Awards.

After the Dessert Course, Ash Sutton was presented with the BRDC Silver Star and Fairfield Trophy for his outstanding performance in clinching a fourth BTCC title, while Harry King took home this year’s BRDC Gold Star alongside the Richard Seaman Trophy after an excellent season in the Porsche Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.  Both drivers also received a watch kindly donated by the BRDC’s newest Young Driver Patron, The Marloe Watch Company.

BRDC Honorary Member Max Verstappen sent a video message to thank the Club for awarding him the Johnny Wakefield Trophy in recognition of him setting the fastest lap of the season on Silverstone's Grand Prix circuit, which he did so during the 2023 Formula One British Grand Prix, and proceedings drew to a close when Christian Horner OBE received the President’s Award from David Coulthard MBE for his outstanding achievement in securing six World Constructors’ Championships with Red Bull Racing, and doing so in such a dominant fashion this year.

The BRDC would like to extend its thanks to the following organisations for their generous support of the event:

Table Wine Sponsor
AC Entertainment Technologies Ltd

Table Sponsor
The Arts Club

BRDC Young Driver Patrons
AC Entertainment Technologies Ltd, Immun’Âge, Marloe Watch Company, Sloane Helicopters, Tysers, and Zurich Insurance

 

2023 BRDC Award winners:

 

BRDC Gold Star & Richard Seaman Trophy
Harry King

Dating back to 1929, the BRDC Gold Star is a unique award presented to the winner of the Gold Star Points Table, made up from results in international races.  Qualifying races are only those which qualify towards Membership of the BRDC and are listed in a matrix of championships agreed annually by the Club Board.

The Richard Seaman Trophy, meanwhile, is awarded to the best placed BRDC Member in the Gold Star points table who competes in racing outside of Formula One.

This year’s recipient of both is 22-year-old BRDC SuperStar Harry King.  A superb British talent, he scored three wins in the Porsche Supercup, added another in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, and won the 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi.

BRDC Silver Star & Fairfield Trophy
Ashley Sutton

The BRDC Silver Star was first introduced in 1977 and is awarded to the BRDC Member who has been the most successful at the highest level in National racing, meaning it is much sought after by Touring Car and GT drivers.

The Fairfield Trophy is awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member. It is named after Pat Fairfield, who was a highly-regarded driver of the pre-war era, scoring many victories at home and abroad – notably in an ERA – who lost his life in an accident during the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The winner of both is Ash Sutton, who clinched a record-equalling fourth British Touring Car Championship title, achiein 12 wins and six pole positions.

Graham Hill Trophy & BRDC Special Gold Star
Jake Dennis

The Graham Hill Trophy is awarded to the British driver with the most meritorious performance in single-seater racing.  Graham Hill is the only driver to win the ‘triple crown’ that includes the Formula One World Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Special Gold Star is awarded at the discretion of the Board for an outstanding achievement in motor sport by a BRDC Member.

In this instance, Jake Dennis’s success in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – the first British driver to win the title – scoring two wins and a record-breaking 11 total podiums, earns him both.

President's Award
Christian Horner OBE

This Award is given at the discretion of the President of the BRDC.

This year it is awarded to Christian Horner OBE, in recognition of how Red Bull Racing has wrapped-up seven World Drivers’ Championships and six World Constructors' Championships under his leadership, and with such a dominant campaign in 2023 by scoring more than double the Constructors' points tally of their nearest rival team.

Chris Bristow Trophy
Joseph Loake

Chris Bristow was a natural talent whose potential was tragically not realised when he lost his life in an accident during the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in 1960.  The award named after him is handed to the winner of the BRDC Aston Martin Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award.

This year’s recipient is Joseph Loake, who finished third in the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC having taken the most victories of anyone during the season.  His performances during the assessments impressed the panel of Judges, and he will now benefit from a full test drive with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 team, the £200,000 cash prize, Full Membership of the BRDC, an Arai helmet and a Jordan Bespoke personalised luxury helmet bag.

Colin Chapman Trophy
Richard Dutton

The Colin Chapman Trophy is a special BRDC Award presented to an individual who has shown great team spirit.  Colin was the founder of Lotus cars and Team Lotus – a team that won seven Constructors’ titles, six Drivers’ Championships and scored 73 Grand Prix victories.

This year, the award is presented to Richard Dutton, whoformed Richard Dutton Racing in 1977 and then went on to join Fortec Motorsports in 1993 and bought the team two years later.  Since then, the team have raced all over the world, winning championships and races, with a list of alumni to rival any team on the planet.  In recognition of the influence that Richard has had on the careers of many successful drivers over the years, he is a worthy recipient of this award.

John Cooper Trophy
Zak O'Sullivan

Named after John Cooper OBE, who co-founded the Cooper Car Company, which changed the face of motor sport, with its rear engine-mounted cars taking back-to-back Formula One World Championship titles in 1959 and 1960, and dominating the Indy 500 soon thereafter.

The trophy is awarded to the highest placed British or Commonwealth driver in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.  This season, the trophy goes to BRDC SuperStar and 2022 AMABA winner Zak O’Sullivan, who finished second in the series, with four wins.

Earl Howe Trophy
Andy Priaulx MBE

Francis Richard Henry Penn Curzon, 5th Earl Howe, was an officer, MP, driver, Le Mans winner, and co-founder of the BRDC, as well as being the Club’s President from 1929 -1964.

The award is given to a BRDC Member for the most outstanding performance of the year in historic racing, which this year was given to Andy Priaulx MBE for his exploits at the RAC TT Celebration race at the Goodwood Revival and his victory at the Historic Spa Six Hours.

ERA Club Trophy
Ian James

English Racing Automobiles (ERA) were an iconic British marque which led the British challenge on the international scene during the immediate pre- and post-war period.  The ERA Club Trophy is awarded to the British driver who, driving a British car, established the most meritorious performance of the year outside the UK.

This year, that honour goes to Ian James, who was part of the GTD class winning Aston Martin Vantage GT3 at this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona, beating the entire field of GT cars including 10 from the GTD Pro category alongside fellow BRDC Member Darren Turner.

Sir Jackie Stewart Award
Ben Waterhouse

The Sir Jackie Stewart Award is given to a motorsport engineer who has shown brilliance during the season.  This year it is awarded to Ben Whitehouse, Red Bull Racing’s Head of Performance Engineering, for his role in the team’s dominance on track.

Henry Surtees Award
Louis Sharp

Named after the late Henry Surtees, who tragically lost his life as an 18-year-old while racing in the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2009, the Award is presented in recognition of the most outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star.

Taking the honours this year was Louis Sharp, who clinched the F4 British Championship this season, with six wins to his name.

Jim Clark Trophy
Callum Voisin

The Jim Clark Trophy is given to the winner of the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC.  Jim Clark was a two-time Formula One World Champion, winner of the 1965 Indianapolis 500, British Saloon Car Championship victor, and three-time Tasman Series title holder.

This year’s GB3 Champion is BRDC SuperStar Callum Voisin.

Honorary Membership
Zak Brown

Honorary Membership of the BRDC is given by invitation of the BRDC Board Directors.  The number of Honorary Members shall be limited to a maximum set by the Directors from time to time.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to British motor sport as CEO of McLaren Racing and co-owner of United Autosports, Zak Brown was given Honorary Membership.

Special Achievement Award
Nick Adams

Nick Adams has been given the Special Achievement Award this year, in recognition of the incredible dedication he has shown in assisting the BRDC and Silverstone on critical insurance issues over the last 15 years.

 

-Awarded but recipients not in attendance-

 

Innes Ireland Trophy
Jonathan Lewis

Awarded to the individual(s) who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomised by the late Innes Ireland. A former President of the BRDC, Innes was a Grand Prix and Sportscar driver who notably scored the first Grand Prix success for Team Lotus at the US Grand Prix in 1961.

The Trophy was given to Jonathan Lewis this year.  A regular racer of Classic Minis, Jonathan helped rescue eight full carloads of tourists trapped by wildfires in Greece this summer, returning time and time again until everyone was safe.

Bruce McLaren Trophy
Oscar Piastri

The BRDC Member from the Commonwealth, who has established the most meritorious performances in international racing, is awarded the Bruce McLaren Trophy, named after the engineer, driver, and founder of McLaren Racing.

The 2023 winner of the award is Australian Oscar Piastri, who has taken two overall podiums and scored a Sprint Race victory in the Formula One World Championship, as a Rookie.

Special Gold Star
Brendon Hartley

The Special Gold Star is awarded at the discretion of the Board for an outstanding achievement in motor sport by a BRDC Member.

In this instance, Brendon Hartley’s success in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the fourth time that he has won the title in the World Endurance Championship’s premier category, was worthy of this special recognition.

The ACO Plate
James Calado

Presented on behalf of our friends at the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the ACO Plate is presented to the highest-placed British driver finishing the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, which was James Calado this year when he co-piloted the #51 Ferrari 499P Hypercar to overall victory.

Johnny Wakefield Trophy
Max Verstappen

Johnny Wakefield was hugely successful during the pre-war period at tracks such as Brooklands and Donington Park, winning the BRDC Gold Star for his performances during the 1939 season.

He lost his life, at the controls of a Spitfire, during World War II and his award is given to the driver setting the fastest race lap of the season on Silverstone's Grand Prix Circuit.  In 2023, this was Formula One World Champion and BRDC Honorary Member Max Verstappen, who achieved a fastest lap of 1:30.275 – an average speed of 145.95 mph.

Woolf Barnato Trophy
Charlie Eastwood

Awarded to the highest-placed finishing British and/or Commonwealth driver, in a British car, in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three times a winner at Le Mans, Joel Woolf Barnato was one of the original BRDC-founding Bentley Boys.

The 2023 award goes to former BRDC SuperStar Charlie Eastwood, who took second place in LMGTE Am, behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage AMR.

John Cobb Memorial Trophy
Lando Norris

Awarded to a British driver, driving a British car, who has achieved outstanding success, John Rhodes Cobb was a land speed record holder – reaching a speed of 394 mph – and the fastest man to lap the Brooklands Outer Circuit in the legendary Napier-Railton. He lost his life in an attempt on the world water speed record in 1952 on the waters of Loch Ness.

This year the trophy is awarded to Lando Norris, who finished sixth in the Formula One World Championship, achieving seven podium finishes, the first of which being at the British Grand Prix which marked a real turning point for his team and led them to further success in the second half of the Formula One season.

Photography credit: Jakob Ebrey Photograpy

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