The British Racing Drivers’ Club held its Annual Awards lunch at the Pan Pacific Hotel in London on Wednesday 17th December to celebrate the success of its Members, SuperStars, and Rising Stars, as well as a handful of other outstanding motor sport achievements. With the great and good of the motor sport industry in attendance, including Formula One Team Principals, Grand Prix drivers, Le Mans winners, British Touring Car Champions and more besides, it was an event to remember.
Returning host was Jake Humphrey, who has supported the event for over 15 years. He opened proceedings with BRDC President David Coulthard MBE. They were ably assisted in awarding the accolades by BRDC Vice Presidents Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Martin Brundle OBE and Derek Warwick, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team’s Sporting Director Andy Stevenson, Chief Executive of Silverstone Circuits Limited Stuart Pringle, and Chief Executive of MSV Dr. Jonathan Palmer.
Over 250 Members, specially invited guests and partners attended the event which continued to raise funds for the excellent work done by the BRDC Motor Sport Charity via a raffle for some unforgettable prizes.
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
BRDC Young Driver Patrons
AC Entertainment Technologies Ltd, Air Charter Service, Sloane Helicopters and Tysers
2025 BRDC Award winners:
BRDC Special Gold Star
Oliver Rowland
The first award to be handed out was the BRDC Special Gold Star. Awarded at the discretion of the Board for an outstanding achievement in motor sport. This year’s recipient of the BRDC Gold Star was ABB FIA Formula E Champion Oliver Rowland.
BRDC Special Achievement Award
Danny Watts
For his work in raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing in motor sport, this year’s recipient of the BRDC Special Achievement Award is Danny Watts. He now spearheads the Club’s initiative in the field on behalf of the BRDC Motor Sport Charity.
Innes Ireland Trophy
Will Macintryre
Awarded to the individual 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 awarded to GB3 race winner Will Macintryre who was sadly diagnosed with brain and lung cancer earlier this year. He has shown tremendous strength since his diagnosis and has kept his spirits high with the emphatic show of support from the motor sport community.
Jim Clark Trophy
Alex Ninovic
Alex Ninovic became the latest driver to win the Jim Clark Trophy after a stellar season with Rodin Motorsport. The 18-year-old secured nine race wins from ten pole positions on his way to securing the GB3 Championship title.
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.
John Cooper Trophy
Roman Biliński
The trophy is awarded to the highest placed British or Commonwealth driver in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. This season, the trophy goes to Rodin Motorsport driver Roman Biliński, who had a consistent points scoring season, with a race victory at Monza and podium finishes in Melbourne and Monaco amongst his highlights.
The Award is named after John Cooper OBE, who co-founded the Cooper Car Company. It 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, dominating the Indy 500 soon thereafter.
Graham Hill Trophy
Luke Browning
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.
This year, the Trophy is awarded to BRDC SuperStar Luke Browning after his race winning season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. He was a championship challenger throughout the year and coupled his campaign with numerous Free Practice session appearances for Williams Racing as part of their Driver Academy.
Sir Jackie Stewart Award
Will Joseph
The Sir Jackie Stewart Award is given to a motor sport engineer who has shown brilliance during the season. This year, it is awarded to Lando Norris’s Race Engineer Will Joseph, for his role in helping Lando become the 35th FIA Formula One World Champion.
Colin Chapman Trophy
Andrea Stella
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, which won seven Constructors’ titles, six Drivers’ Championships, and scored 73 Grand Prix victories.
This year, the award is presented to McLaren Formula One Team Principal Andrea Stella after leading the team to their first drivers’ world title in 17 years, as well as back-to-back constructors’ titles.
The Jonny Wakefield Trophy & Bruce McLaren Trophy
Oscar Piastri
Awarded to the driver setting the fastest race lap of the season on the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit. 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.
This year the award goes to Oscar Piastri, who also is also the recipient of the Bruce McLaren Trophy. His superb efforts to claim seven wins on his way to finish third in the Formula One World Championship standings ensured he secured the honour for a third year in a row.
Awarded to 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.
Earl Howe Award
Tom Ingram
Francis Richard Henry Penn Curzon, 5th Earl Howe, was an officer, Member of Parliament, 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 went to Tom Ingram for his race-winning performance at the Goodwood Revival to win the RAC TT event, a race he won for the second time in as many years.
ERA Club Trophy
Tom Gamble & Casper Stevenson
English Racing Automobiles (ERA) was 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, or drivers, who, driving a British car, established the most meritorious performance of the year outside the UK.
This year, that honour goes jointly to Tom Gamble and Casper Stevenson who showed great speed in the GTD category of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, but in particular, to recognise their victory in the Six Hours of Watkins Glen in an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
Woolf Barnato Trophy
Tom Gamble, Ross Gunn & Harry Tincknell
Awarded to the highest-placed finishing British and/or Commonwealth drivers, 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. This year, the award goes to the three British drivers of the 007 Aston Martin Valkerie – Tom Gamble, Ross Gunn & Harry Tincknell.
Fairfield Trophy & ACO Plate
Phil Hanson
This year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race-winning performance of Phil Hanson was not only recognised with the Fairfield Trophy but also the ACO Plate. The Fairfield Trophy is awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member. 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.
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.
John Cobb Memorial Trophy
Darren Leung
Awarded to a British driver, driving a British car, who has achieved success or successes of outstanding character, this year’s recipient is Darren Leung who helped pilot his McLaren GT3 EVO to the marque’s first LMGT3 class victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
John Rhodes Cobb was a land speed record holder – reaching 394 mph – and the fastest man to lap the Brooklands Outer Circuit in the legendary Napier-Railton. He lost his life in an attempt at the World Water Speed Record on Loch Ness in 1952.
Henry Surtees Award
Oliver Gray
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 is European Le Mans Series LMP2 Champion Oliver Gray. He and his teammates won an impressive three of the six races this season in the pan-European series, as well as securing a second-place LMP2 finish on his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Derek Warwick SuperStar of the Year Award
Freddie Slater
A new accolade for this year, the Derek Warwick SuperStar of the Year Award recognises excellence from the Club’s elite athlete programme – the BRDC SuperStars – and named after Derek for his tireless work in promoting young drivers through the Club.
The inaugural winner is Freddie Slater after he had another standout season taking the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine title, as well as winning races in the GB3 Championship, and securing a podium finish on his FIA Formula 3 Championship debut.
BRDC Silver Star
Tom Ingram
The championship went down to the wire with a nail-biting finish at Brands Hatch, but, after claiming seven wins, Tom Ingram emerged as the British Touring Car Champion for the second time. His performances throughout the season earned him enough points to finish at the top of the BRDC Silver Star points table and therefore earn him the BRDC Silver Star for the second time in his career.
The Award 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, with points awarded to a set formula, meaning it is much sought after by Touring Car and GT drivers.
BRDC Gold Star
Lando Norris
First awarded in 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 international categories which are eligible towards Membership of the BRDC and are listed in a matrix of championships agreed annually by the Club Board.
This year’s recipient of the BRDC Gold Star is Lando Norris, who climbed to the top of the BRDC Gold Star table thanks to strong point scoring between the 1st of November 2024 to the 31st of October 2025. His tally of seven wins and eleven further podiums ensured he became only the 35th driver to win the FIA Formula One Drivers’ World Championship title and in recognition of this, he was also awarded a BRDC Special Gold Star.
BRDC President’s Award
Graeme Lowdon
Taking the BRDC President’s Award this year, an award given at the discretion of the BRDC President, is Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon for his gargantuan efforts to bring the eleventh team to the grid for the start of the 2026 Formula One season and the positive impact that it will have on the British motor sport industry.
BRDC Gold Medal
Nick Tandy
The final award of the day went to Nick Tandy for his incredible achievements in sports car racing. Having previously won 24 Hours of Le Mans (2015). The Nürburgring 24 Hours (2018) and the Spa 24 Hours (2020) this year he made it a grand slam by adding the 24 Hours At Daytona to his impressive list of accomplishments.
Awarded only 15 times in the Club’s history, the BRDC Gold Medal is the Club’s highest recognition of achievement in, and contribution to, the Club and the sport of motor racing. The most recent winners include Sir Lewis Hamilton (2021), Derek Warwick (2017) and Adrian Newey OBE (2013).
Awarded in absentia
Nigel Moores Trophy
TF Sport
Awarded to the private entrant who has established the most meritorious performance(s) in international motor racing. A Jaguar enthusiast and racer of much repute, Nigel Moores’ collection of Jaguars enjoyed success on racetracks around Britain and Europe.
The Trophy is awarded to TF Sport which claimed both the European Le Mans Series LMP2 and GT3 class titles, in addition to race wins in FIA World Endurance Championship and a 24 Hours of Le Mans podium.
Richard Seaman Trophy
Jordan Pepper
Spa 24 Hours race winner Jordan Pepper was awarded the Richard Seaman Trophy, which goes to the best placed BRDC Member in the Gold Star points table who competes in racing outside of Formula One. He has had a busy year of racing in multiple championships, including winning races in GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup and the DTM as a Factory Driver for Lamborghini.