FIA Prize Giving Gala notes

Vettel Receives Driver's Trophy

Monaco was the venue for this year's FIA Prize Giving Gala. FIA President Jean Todt presented Sebastian Vettel, the youngest ever Formula One World Champion with the Driver's Trophy. The Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner was presented with the Constructor's Trophy by FOM CEO and President, Bernie Ecclestone. Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Mark Webber of Red Bull collected awards for second and third place in this year's championship.

It was a memorable season for the Red Bull Racing team, taking a total of 15 pole positions throughout the championship. This season also saw the team achieve six of the fastest laps with Vettel and Webber scoring three respectively.

Sebastian Vettel said:

""This is an amazing evening for me and for the Red Bull Racing team. I'm thrilled to be here to collect the Driver's Championship Trophy, something I have dreamt of since I started racing. Winning the championship is unbelievable; it marks an incredible season for us, with many ups and downs. We kept believing in our team, in our car and enjoyed every race.

I would really like to thank all the Red Bull Racing team and Renault Engines for their efforts and dedication in ensuring we had such an amazing car this year. I am extremely proud of the success we have achieved together."

Team Principal Christian Horner said:

"This has been a tough but incredible year for Red Bull Racing. Being presented with the Constructors' Championship Trophy is the perfect end to what has been an outstanding season for us. I would like to thank Sebastian and Mark for their hard work and dedication this year. Seb is the youngest ever Formula One World Champion and a very deserving one at that. His success is down to what he has done on the circuit and the team is immensely proud of what he has achieved.

Mark has also done an incredible job this year. He took four grand prix victories and drove superbly this season. Both men are incredibly skilled drivers and it is a great pleasure to have them as part of our team.

I want to thank all of our staff and in particular Dietrich Mateschitz for his support this year."

Korea and Abu Dhabi Receive Awards at FIA Prize Giving Gala

The FIA's annual Prize Gala took place in Monaco this evening. Alongside the FIA champions, two trophies were presented for best promoter and best race broadcaster.

The Korean Grand Prix received the Race Promoters' Trophy. The award recognises the state-of-the-art Korean International Circuit which hosted its inaugural grand prix this year.

The award was collected by Yung Cho Chung of the Korea Automobile Racing Association.

Yung Cho Chung said:

"It is a great honour to receive this award on behalf of all of those involved in the first Korean Grand Prix. I sincerely thank all of the people who helped to make the event such a success, leading to us receiving this wonderful trophy this evening."

The Race Broadcaster's Trophy was presented jointly to Abu Dhabi Media Company and FOM for their outstanding coverage of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The twilight concept and magnificent setting of the event proved popular with television viewers. The award was presented to Mr Dean Locke of Formula One Management.

-source: fia