The 36th edition of the Autosport Awards took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. During this prestigious awards ceremony, accolades were presented to drivers, cars, engineers, sponsors, and promoters who stood out during the 2023 sports season. Many nominations came from the Formula 1 world, including the world champions Verstappen-RB19, while Ferrari competed with the 499P and James Calado, winners of the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The most coveted award among those voted by readers was undoubtedly the International Racing Driver by Pirelli, reserved for the international driver of the year. Max Verstappen, with his 19 victories in 22 Grand Prix races, secured the third world title of his career. The Dutchman was chosen over the other three nominees, including Fernando Alonso, who consistently returned to the podium with a surprising Aston Martin. The other candidates were Formula E world champion Jake Dennis and IndyCar champion Alex Palou.
Voters expressed similar preferences in the International Competition Car category, with the award going to the Red Bull RB19, which won 21 out of 22 Grand Prix races. Among the nominees was the Ferrari 499P, which, with Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and James Calado, left its mark on the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Also nominated were the Jaguar I-Type 6, winning the Formula E team title under the Envision Racing banner, and the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, the reigning world rally champion.
Readers recognized Oscar Piastri as the Rookie of the Year, chosen over Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Logan Sargeant. The WRC world champion, Kalle Rovanpera, was also honored in the International Rally Driver category, competing with Elfyn Evans, Ott Tanak, and Sebastien Ogier. The British Driver of the Year Award went to James Calado, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Ferrari 499P. He was the only nominee outside the world of Formula 1, where nominations included George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris. Lando Norris emerged as the winner of the 2023 award, as recognized by readers for his achievements with McLaren, including six podium finishes. The last award presented by the audience was the National Driver Award, lifted by the dominant Ginetta Junior Championship winner Freddie Slater.
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Jury Awards
The evening also saw the presentation of awards by the jury. A highlight was the career tribute to Sir Jackie Stewart, awarded the Gold Medal and the Gregor Grant Award for his sporting achievements in Formula 1 and significant contributions to motorsport innovation. In addition to three world titles, Stewart was remembered for his advocacy for safety and the founding of Stewart Grand Prix, which later evolved into Jaguar and eventually Red Bull Racing.
Awards in the technical and engineering field were also presented. Toyota received the Pioneering and Innovation Award for the GR H2 concept presented at the last 24 Hours of Le Mans, outlining the Japanese company’s intention to compete with a hydrogen prototype in the French marathon within the next five years. The Promoter of the Year award went to Silverstone Circuit, capable of attracting 480,000 spectators to the last edition of the British Grand Prix. Gulf Oil won the Sponsor of the Year title for the livery that adorned the Williams during the Singapore and Qatar Grands Prix. The Williams Engineer of the Future Award, reserved for university students in the UK, went to David Crespo.
At the end of the evening, Antonello Coletta and James Calado lifted the award for the Moment of the Year, recognized for Ferrari’s victory in the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Christian Horner, on the other hand, received the John Bolster Trophy for Technical Achievement, acknowledging the results achieved since 2005 at the helm of Red Bull Racing, including the recent drivers’ and constructors’ world titles with Max Verstappen. The grand finale featured the Aston Martin BRDC Autosport Award, dedicated to promising British talents in single-seater racing. Joseph Loake, from British GB3, won the coveted award, earning £200,000 and a test drive in the Aston Martin Formula 1 car. Here is the complete list of all Autosport Awards presented at the London event:
International Racing Driver by Pirelli: Max Verstappen
International Competition Car: Red Bull RB19
International Rally Driver: Kalle Rovanpera
British Competition Driver: Lando Norris
Rookie of the Year: Oscar Piastri
National Driver: Freddie Slater
Autosport Williams Engineer of the Future: David Crespo
Autosport Gold Medal – Gregor Grant Award for lifetime achievement: Sir Jackie Stewart
Pioneering and Innovation Award: Toyota
Sponsor of the Year: Gulf Oil
Promoter of the Year: Silverstone Circuits Ltd
John Bolster Trophy for Technical Achievement: Christian Horner
Moment of the Year: Ferrari victory at the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year: Joseph Loake
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