Across Park Lane from the gleeful shrieks from Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, the gleeful shrieks of the Loake family emanated from the Grosvenor House Hotel at the climax of the 2023 edition of the Autosport Awards.
But GB3 star Joseph Loake’s elevation to the pantheon of those who have earned the prestigious Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award was just one highlight of this most star-studded of annual shindigs. With Immy Barclay and Natalie Pinkham on hosting duties, and Bryn Lucas interviewing celebrity guests from the floor of the Great Room, the Awards glided us through the standout performers, machinery and moments from the 2023 season.
Stars such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sent thank you messages for their Awards successes by video, while F1 team principals including Toto Wolff, Christian Horner and Zak Brown were in attendance.
That’s all very much of the now, but it was during Sir Jackie Stewart’s acceptance of an Autosport Gold Medal that time seemed to stop. The three-time world champion was, of course, far more than a great driver: he was an F1 team boss, played a huge role in the commercialisation of the sport, and campaigned tirelessly for safety. “Ken had some remarkable people,” pointed out Sir Jackie in acknowledgement of his success with the Tyrrell team. “I’m alive because of them.”
“Derek, you are the heart of this Award”
Young Driver Award guest judge Johnny Herbert to Derek Warwick
And of his former protege Dario Franchitti, on stage to fete his mentor, he added: “Dario won three Indy 500s, and to do that you’ve really got to be Scottish!”
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INTERNATIONAL RACING DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen now has a trio of International Racing Driver of the Year awards to complement his streak of Formula 1 drivers’ titles after being voted the best in the business for the third year on the trot.
Most wins in a season, most consecutive wins, most wins from pole, most points scored, most podium finishes, 1003 laps led, winning the crown with the most races still to run and the biggest points gap from
