Max Verstappen sparkles at FIA awards gala; Hamilton, personality of the year
Paris, 17 Dec 2021: The event, hosted by British TV presenter Nicki Shields and French Formula 1 commentator Julien Fébreau provided a glittering backdrop to the FIA Annual General Assembly Week. It was also Jean Todt’s last appearance at the FIA gala as FIA President, before he ends his term of office on 17 December.
An audience of 800 guests celebrated the outstanding performers and performances of 2021 while the personalities and rising stars were lauded and those lost to the motor sport fraternity in 2021 were remembered.
The evening was the crowning glory of a spectacular year for Dutchman Max Verstappen, who at 24, became one of the youngest FIA Formula 1 World Champions. The Red Bull-Honda driver was embroiled in an enthralling season-long battle with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG Petronas.
In receiving his award from President Todt, Verstappen said: “Becoming world champion is my life goal achieved. Everything that comes next is a bonus. Of course I am going to keep pushing and I’m going to be in F1 for a few more years yet,” he said. “While it’s nice to be called world champion, I think more about the long journey and the all the hours I have spent working with my Dad to be here. It’s been a long and tough season and I feel amazing to have finally achieved my goal. I hope I can do this many more times. It’s been an incredible battle with Lewis, one of the greatest drivers ever in Formula 1. We really pushed each other. At the end of the day, we can look each other in the eyes and respect each other which is really important.”
FIA Deputy President for Sport Graham Stoker handed over the third-place trophy to Valtteri Bottas. James Allison, the Chief Technical Officer, accepted the eighth consecutive world championship trophy for the Mercedes-AMG-Petronas team.
The French duo Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia clinched their eighth FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers respectively. Their efforts helped to secure the champion manufacturer prize for Toyota Gazoo Racing. They were presented with their award by WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel.
The FIA World Endurance Championship drivers’ champions Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez received their award from FIA Vice-President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Toyota Gazoo Racing claimed the prize for Champion Hypercar from ACO President Pierre Fillon.
Dutchman Nyck de Vries took the race victory at the 2020-21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship finale in Berlin to secure his first title. De Vries, at 26, not only became the youngest title-winner in Formula E history, but also its first World Champion. Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle presented the award.
The Dutchman’s points haul, along with team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne, enabled Mercedes EQ to take the teams’ title which was accepted by team principal Ian James.
Johan Kristoffersson collected his fourth FIA World Rallycross Championship crown at the end of an absorbing weekend of action at the Nurburgring, snatching the title from the clutches of countryman Timmy Hansen as the 2021 campaign concluded in a dramatic dead-heat.
Timmy Hansen, joined by his brother Kevin, took the team championship honours for Hansen World RX Team.
Esports was also recognized during the event in the shape of the FIA Certified Gran Turismo Championships. Toyota’s Coque López accepted the Manufacturer Series award on behalf of team-mates Tomoaki Yamanaka and Igor Fraga whilst Valerio Gallo received the Nations Cup Trophy.
The stars of tomorrow, the FIA Karting World Champions came in the shape of Tuukka Taponen (OK), Kean Nakamura (OK-Junior) and
Noah Milell (KZ). FIA Karting Commission President Felipe Massa handed over the silverware along with Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the Italian Automobile Club and Max Verstappen, who had a decorated karting career of his own.
The FIA Formula 2 Championship winner Oscar Piastri, recently signed as a test driver for Alpine Formula 1 team in 2022, also took the Rookie of the Year Award. The prize is voted by members of the FIA Drivers Commission, led by the Commission President, nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen. Rene Rosin represented the champion team Prema Racing. Formula 3 honours went to Dennis Hauger while Giacomo Ricci accepted the team trophy on behalf of Trident Racing.
In addition to the Championship titles, a number of other awards were presented.
The Outstanding Official of the Year Award went to Anselme Bigirimana, who has been a member of the Burundi Automobile Club (CAB) since 1970 and joined the executive committee of the CAB after a serious accident forced him to retire from competition. Bigirimana is ever-present in all the development activities of motor sport in Burundi.
The FIA Personality of The Year Award, decided by permanently accredited FIA media, went to Lewis Hamilton.
Action of the Year celebrates the most spectacular moments of the past racing year and is the only prize of the evening voted for by motor sport fans around the world. In 2021, the fans favoured former world champion and current Alpine Formula 1 team’s Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard was acclaimed for his battle with Lewis Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The recipient of the FIA Founding Members’ Club Heritage Cup was Robert Dewar on behalf of the Concours d’Elegance Kenya.
The evening concluded with tributes to President Todt. He was presented with 20 helmets from each of the current Formula 1 drivers by the CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali.
Domenicali said: “Your professional life has always been characterized by true values. We thank you for all that you have done for the motor sport community and also for safety and human rights. You are leaving a lasting legacy.”
Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission, in a personal tribute, said: “He’s somebody you can call at 3 o’clock in the morning with a problem and he will wake up the world to solve the problem. We are going to miss him so much.”
The President’s son, Nicolas Todt added: “I want to tell you how proud I am to have a father like you who taught me so many important values. Your successes are due to your passion for motor sport, your willingness to always push the boundaries, your capacity to get the very best from your colleagues and to never take no for an answer.”
And in recognition as President Todt being the inspiration behind the FIA Safe and Affordable Helmet Programme and his dedication across the twin pillars of motor sport and mobility, he was presented with a commemorative Safe and Affordable helmet signed by all the World Champions awarded during his term as President of the FIA.
President Todt said: “Life is made in chapters. Being a co-driver was my first. And now this chapter is over. Twelve years is a long time. The job is demanding. I know that the FIA will get fresh blood, a fresh team. Amongst the legacy I leave, I leave an amazing team which is able to continue to deliver the job with the new elected team. I still have the same passion. I am blessed, I still love motor racing. Now it is time to give something back in other areas of life. I am an old man but in good form and we will see what comes next.
Proceedings ended with the traditional ‘family photo’ and a final applause for all of the 2021 champions and category winners as the curtain fell on what has been a successful motor sport year.
Click here to see the event image gallery and here to read the FIA prize giving brochure.
2021 FIA PRIZE GIVING GALA | CHAMPIONS & AWARD WINNERS
FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS
Max VERSTAPPEN
FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CONSTRUCTORS
MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM
FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS AND CO-DRIVERS
Sébastien OGIER & Julien INGRASSIA
FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MANUFACTURERS
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING
FIA HYPERCAR WORLD ENDURANCE DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
Mike CONWAY, Kamui KOBAYASHI, José María LÓPEZ
2021 FIA HYPERCAR WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING
ABB FIA FORMULA E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS
Nyck DE VRIES
ABB FIA FORMULA E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MANUFACTURERS
MERCEDES-EQ
FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS
Johan KRISTOFFERSSON
FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TEAMS
HANSEN WORLD RX TEAM
FIA KARTING WORLD CHAMPION – KZ
Noah MILELL
FIA KARTING WORLD CHAMPION – OK-JUNIOR
Kean NAKAMURA
FIA KARTING WORLD CHAMPION – OK
Tuukka TAPONEN
FIA CERTIFIED GRANTURISMO CHAMPIONSHIPS WINNER – NATIONS CUP
Valerio GALLO
FIA CERTIFIED GRANTURISMO CHAMPIONSHIPS WINNER – MANUFACTURERS SERIES
Coque LOPEZ
FIA CERTIFIED GRANTURISMO CHAMPIONSHIPS WINNER – MANUFACTURERS SERIES
Igor FRAGA
FIA CERTIFIED GRANTURISMO CHAMPIONSHIPS WINNER – MANUFACTURERS SERIES
Tomoaki YAMANAKA
FIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Lewis HAMILTON
FIA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Oscar PIASTRI
FIA ACTION OF THE YEAR
Fernando ALONSO
FIA JUNIOR WRC CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS & CO‑DRIVERS
Sami PAJARI & Marko SALMINEN
FIA JUNIOR WRC TROPHY FOR NATIONS
FINLAND
FIA WRC2 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS
Andreas MIKKELSEN
FIA WRC2 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CO-DRIVERS
Torstein ERIKSEN
FIA WRC2 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TEAMS
MOVISPORT
FIA WRC3 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS
Yohan ROSSEL
FIA WRC3 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CO‑DRIVERS
Maciej SZCZEPANIAK
FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TEAMS
HYUNDAI 2C COMPETITION
FIA AFRICAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS & CO‑DRIVERS
Carl TUNDO & Tim JESSOP
FIA EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS & CO‑DRIVERS
Andreas MIKKELSEN & Sara FERNÁNDEZ
FIA EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TEAMS
TOKSPORT WRT
FIA MIDDLE EAST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS & CO‑DRIVERS
Nasser AL-ATTIYAH & Mathieu BAUMEL
FIA NACAM RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS & CO‑DRIVERS
Ricardo CORDERO & Marco HERNÁNDEZ
FIA EUROPEAN RALLY TROPHY DRIVERS & CO-DRIVERS
Mustafa ÇAKAL & Özgür AKDAG
FIA RGT CUP DRIVERS & CO‑DRIVERS
Pierre RAGUES & Julien PESENTI
FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS‑COUNTRY RALLIES DRIVERS & CO-DRIVERS
Nasser AL-ATTIYAH & Mathieu BAUMEL
FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS‑COUNTRY RALLIES FOR TEAMS
OVERDRIVE SA
FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS‑COUNTRY RALLIES DRIVERS – T3
Cristina GUTIÉRREZ
FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS‑COUNTRY BAJAS DRIVERS & CO-DRIVERS
Yazeed AL RAJHI & Alexey KUZMICH
FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS‑COUNTRY BAJAS DRIVERS – T3
Dania AKEEL
FIA EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP – RX1
Andreas BAKKERUD
FIA EUROPEAN RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP – RX3
Yury BELEVSKIY
FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP
Guillaume DE RIDDER
FIA FORMULA 2 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS
Oscar PIASTRI
FIA FORMULA 2 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TEAMS
PREMA Racing
FIA FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR DRIVERS
Dennis HAUGER
FIA FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TEAMS
TRIDENT
FORMULA REGIONAL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP BY ALPINE CERTIFIED BY FIA
Gregoire SAUCY
FORMULA REGIONAL AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP POWERED BY HONDA
Kyffin SIMPSON
FORMULA REGIONAL JAPANESE CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Yuga FURUTANI
FORMULA 3 ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Guanyu ZHOU
F4 USA CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Noel LEÓN
F4 SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Dilano VAN’T HOFF
F4 UAE CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Enzo TRULLI
F4 ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Oliver BEARMAN
F4 GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Oliver BEARMAN
F4 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Matthew REES
F4 JAPANESE CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Seita NONAKA
F4 FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Esteban MASSON
F4 CHINESE CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFIED BY FIA
Andy CHANG
FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP LMGTE FOR DRIVERS
Alessandro PIER GUIDI & James CALADO
FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP LMGTE FOR MANUFACTURERS
FERRARI
FIA ENDURANCE TROPHY FOR LMP2 DRIVERS
Charles MILESI, Ferdinand HABSBURG, Robin FRIJNS
FIA ENDURANCE TROPHY FOR LMGTE AM DRIVERS
Alessio ROVERA, François PERRODO, Nicklas NIELSEN
FIA EUROPEAN TRUCK RACING DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
Norbert KISS
FIA INTERNATIONAL DRIFTING CUP FOR DRIVERS
James DEANE
WTCR – FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CUP FOR DRIVERS
Yann EHRLACHER
WTCR – FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CUP FOR TEAMS
Cyan Racing Lynk & Co
WTCR – FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CUP FOR JUNIOR DRIVERS
Luca ENGSTLER
FIA WORLD LAND SPEED RECORDS
Gianmaria AGHEM
FIA OUTSTANDING OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Bigirimana ANSELME
FIA FOUNDING MEMBERS’ CLUB HERITAGE CUP
Robert DEWAR
