The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) honoured the achievements of its members in 2015 this week during its annual awards lunch at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
Three-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s success was recognised with three awards, The Graham Hill Trophy, The Johnny Wakefield Trophy and the coveted BRDC Gold Star, which he accepted with a recorded video message.
Two special Gold Stars were also handed out to FIA World Endurance Champions Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley, while Le Mans 24 Hour winner Nick Tandy was awarded The ACO Plate and Richard Westbrook earned The Earl Howe Trophy.
European F3 star Jake Dennis picked up two accolades, including The Richard Seaman Trophy for being the best placed driver outside F1 in the Gold Star rankings, while Formula Renault 3.5 champion Oliver Rowland took The Fairfield Trophy for outstanding performance by a BRDC member.
Despite missing out on the BTCC title to Gordon Shedden, Jason Plato picked up the coveted BRDC Silver Star for an eighth time, while Jack Aitken secured The Henry Surtees Award for outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star.
Fresh from winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award last night, Will Palmer picked up The Chris Bristow Trophy in recognition of that success, as well as his BRDC Formula 4 Championship Trophy, while his predecessor to that title George Russell picked up The John Cooper Trophy.
Amongst the other winners were Jon Lancaster, Oliver Gavin, Nick Cassidy and Charlie Robertson, the latter taking the ERA Club Trophy in recognition of his European Le Mans Series LMP3 victory.
Full 2015 BRDC Award Winners:
The John Cooper Trophy – George Russell for a GP3 or FIA European Formula 3 driver with the potential to become a future world champion
The Spencer Charington Trophy – Jake Dennis for the highest-placed British driver in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship
The Richard Seaman Trophy – Jake Dennis for the best placed BRDC member in Gold Star points outside Formula One
The Nigel Moores Trophy – Richard Dutton for the most meritorious performance in international motor racing by a private entrant
The Fairfield trophy – Oliver Rowland Awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC member
The ACO Plate – Nick Tandy on behalf of the Automobile Club De L’Ouest to the highest placed British driver at the Le Mans 24 hour race
The Silverstone – Le Mans Challenge – Audi: Andre Lotterer, Marcel Fassler, Benoit Treluyer for the driver or team achieving the highest combined finishing record of the Silverstone LMS race and the Le Mans 24 Hour race
The Earl Howe Trophy – Richard Westbrook for the British driver delivering the most meritorious performance of the year in North America
The John Cobb Trophy – Jon Lancaster for a success of outstanding character achieved by a British driver, in a British car
The Woolf Barnato Trophy – Team JOTA Sport: Oliver Turvey, Mitch Evans and Simon Dolan To the highest placed British driver or team in the Le Mans 24 hour race
The Colin Chapman Trophy – Oliver Gavin a special BRDC award to an individual displaying great team sprit be it a driver, team owner or engineer
The Innes Ireland Award – Daniel Ricciardo for the driver best displaying qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomised by the late Innes Ireland
The Henry Surtees Award – Jack Aitken for the most outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star
The Sir Jackie Stewart Award – James Allison for a motorsport engineer who has shown brilliance during the course of the season
The Bruce McLaren Trophy – Nick Cassidy for the Commonwealth driver establishing the most meritorious performances in international motor racing
The Duo BRDC Formula 4 Championship Trophy – Will Palmer for the winner of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship
The Chris Bristow Trophy – Will Palmer for the winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award
The Graham Hill Trophy – Lewis Hamilton MBE for the most meritorious performance by a British driver in single seater racing
The Johnny Wakefield Trophy – Lewis Hamilton MBE for the fastest lap of the season at Silverstone Grand Prix circuit
BRDC Silver Star – Jason Plato for the strongest performance of the year by a Member in domestic championships (Points accumulation)
Special Gold Star – Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley for Members winning the FIA World Endurance Championship
BRDC Gold Star – Lewis Hamilton MBE for the strongest performance of the year by a Member in international championships (Points accumulation)
