FIA Gala notes

F1 Stars Cap Memorable Season

The star-studded FIA Gala in Monaco capped another memorable season in the FIA Formula One World Championship. It was not going to be easy to surpass last season's excitement, with a three-way title showdown at the final race, but that is exactly what happened with McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton taking the drivers' championship on the final lap.

Lewis Hamilton said:

"This year has been a very special one in my life -- the fulfilment of a dream I've had since childhood and an ambition that has taken my family and me on an amazing journey.

"The fact that I won the Drivers' World Championship on the very last lap of the very last race is something that makes me so proud of our efforts in 2008; we pushed to the limit on every single lap, from Melbourne to Brazil -- and it's that determination and spirit that ultimately won us the world title.

"It's always very rewarding to receive recognition for all the work you put into the season, and the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Monte-Carlo is of course the fitting venue at which to celebrate all our efforts before we push ahead into 2009."

Ferrari's Felipe Massa could not have come closer to winning the championship and was justifiably proud of the role he played in a highly competitive season.

Felipe Massa said:

"This has been an incredibly closely contested season, which produced an amazing final. When you lose the world title by a single point, having had it in your grasp for a handful of seconds, it would be easy to take it badly. But I prefer to look to the future and to see things in a positive light.

"I won six races and played my part in the team taking the Constructors' Championship, which I know is so important for Ferrari. We are already looking to a new season and I will do my utmost to come back here to Monaco next year to claim the prize which today has gone to Lewis."

His teammate Kimi Raikkonen was unable to retain the title he won last year but vowed to return stronger next season.

Kimi Raikkonen said: "I would have preferred to be here collecting the World Champion's trophy for a second consecutive time, but this year, things did not go my way. The season got off to a good start, but then, for various reasons, the situation got complicated and by the time we were back on form, it was already too late.

"However, we learnt some valuable lessons which will come in useful next year. I am happy that Ferrari won, confirming its position as world champion: it's an exceptional team that never gives up."

Massa and Raikkonen ensured that Ferrari took the Constructors' Trophy for the second successive season and Stefano Domenicali was delighted to collect the prize in his first year as team director.

Stefano Domenicali said:

"I am honoured to be here, at the end of my first year in charge of the team, to collect the Constructors' Trophy that goes to the World Championship-winning team. This is the 16th time in Scuderia Ferrari's history and the eighth in the last ten years that we have won this award and it comes courtesy of all the hard work, passion and determination put in by everyone at Maranello.

"My thoughts and thanks go to each and every one of them, for what they were able to achieve, to our drivers and also to Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo, who along with Jean Todt, chose me to fill this role. He has always given his support, especially during the most difficult moments."

Singapore Takes Two Promotional Awards

Alongside the FIA champions, two trophies were presented for best promoter and best race broadcaster.

The Race Promoters' Trophy is awarded to the promoter who has proved most helpful, in the most difficult conditions. This year's recipient is the Singapore Grand Prix for its magnificent effort in organising Formula One's first ever night race.

Singapore GP's Ong Beng Seng, who collected the award, said:

"On behalf of everyone on the Singapore GP team, thank you to Formula One Management for honouring us with this very prestigious award. Staging the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix represents the hard work and industry of quite literally a cast of thousands. This award honours every single one of them.

"The event would not be possible without all our partners both in the public and private sectors. In particular I would like to thank the Singapore Government, the Tourism Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry whose support was amazing."

The night race concept also proved a hit with television viewers across the world. Formula One Management took the Television Trophy trophy for its outstanding coverage of the Singapore night race, with the award presented to Executive Producer Jonathan Nicholas.

-credit: fia