The champions and legends of the world of motorsport were celebrated in style at the FIA Awards, which took place for the first time on the African continent in Kigali, Rwanda on December 13. In the presence of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, the FIA Champions for 2024 were crowned at the BK Arena in the Rwandan capital, with the event hosted by the Club Rwandan Automobile with the support of partners such as Rolex, Hankook, AlphaTauri and RwandAir.
The FIA President opened the evening by saying: “Here in Kigali, we shine a spotlight on those members of our motorsport family whose commitment, spirit and efforts represent the heart of our sport. We also have our eyes on the champions of tomorrow, those who are just starting their careers and tasting their first successes. »
“Congratulations to all our deserving winners, it’s an honor to celebrate with you. »
The FIA Awards mark the end of one of the most hotly contested seasons in recent memory across the FIA World Championships, with spectacular action and close competition serving as a reminder of why motorsport is a passion for so many .
Several new features have been added for the 2024 edition of this annual celebration, including the introduction of a Action of the Year award for each World Championship, recognizing the unique and exciting aspects of each of our varied categories. These awards were chosen by popular vote among thousands of fans across the FIA’s social media platforms.
Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of the FIA Life Achievement Award. Rally legend, pioneer of the FIA’s activities for women in motorsport and strong advocate of rally safety, Michèle Mouton, received a standing ovation from the crowd and her award from President Ben Sulayem.
Max Verstappen was awarded the Formula 1 drivers’ world champion trophy for the fourth consecutive year, accompanied in Kigali by McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished second, taking home the runner-up trophy. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc competed at the FIA Awards for a second time, placing third, while it was McLaren who revealed their men, Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, took the Manufacturers’ Trophy after a thrilling battle culminating in the last race in Abu Dhabi.
The most decorated manufacturer of the evening was Toyota, with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teams triumphing in the 2024 World Rally, Rally-Raid and Endurance Championships.
Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe reached the pinnacle of the rally world after five previous podium finishes in the WRC, sealing the title at the final round in Japan, while in the W2RC, Nasser Al-Attiyah earned driver honors for the third time in a row, Edouard Boulanger obtaining his first reward as co-pilot.
Event stalwart Johan Kristoffersson made his seventh appearance at the FIA Awards, once again proving his inevitability in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, which this year pitted cars with sustainable combustion engines against each other to fully electric vehicles in a “battle of technologies”.
In circuit racing, it was also an incredible year in the FIA World Endurance Championship, with the Hypercar prototype continuing to make progress. In the end, the champions’ trophies were awarded to Porsche’s André Lotterer, Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor, with Lotterer taking his second title, while Estre and Vanthoor took home their first.
The tenth season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship was as ultra-competitive as ever. In a thrilling final, it was Pascal Wehrlein who triumphed.
Looking to the future, the FIA Awards shine a spotlight on drivers who are rapidly rising up the motorsport ladder. The FIA World Karting Champions were honored for their victories, with Kenzo Craigie, Ethan Jeff-Hall and Giuseppe Palomba receiving their prized trophies in the Junior, OK and KZ categories respectively.
An established indicator for future fame, the FIA Rookie of the Year award recognizes a driver who has produced an outstanding performance in their first season in a new category. This year, Gabriel Bortoleto, originally from Brazil, was rewarded, joining the ranks of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri.
Bortoleto also took the stage to receive his FIA Formula 2 championship trophy, alongside the two other drivers who finished in second and third place, Isack Hadjar and Paul Aron.
Bernie Ecclestone was awarded the FIA President’s Innovation Medal for a lifetime of achievement and contributions to the promotion of Formula 1, as well as the vital role he played in transforming our sport into a global spectacle .
To discover all of the 2024 champions and winners, consult the official FIA prize giving draft.
This year’s FIA Awards not only celebrated outstanding driver performances, but also highlighted the growing importance of motorsport on the African continent. This event represents a unique opportunity for the FIA to strengthen its ties with enthusiasts around the world, while encouraging a new generation of drivers. By increasing initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, motorsport can reinvent itself to attract an even wider audience. The future of the sport is bright, and it is essential that the FIA continues to promote values of fairness and innovation to ensure its sustainable growth.
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