Autosport Awards: Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes Triumph

Lewis Hamilton added two more titles to his 2018 haul, sealing the British Competition Driver and International Racing Driver of the Year presented by Pirelli Autosport Awards categories.

Hamilton won his fifth Formula 1 world championship this season, beating Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to the crown with a commanding performance in the second half of the season to equal Juan Manuel Fangio’s tally of titles.

He won 11 of 21 races – equalling his personal-best season haul from 2014 – during a campaign in which Hamilton and his Mercedes team faced their sternest challenge from rivals Ferrari and Red Bull since the start of F1’s V6 turbo-hybrid era.

His Award wins, voted for by Autosport readers, were his sixth in both categories.

Hamilton did not attend the reception at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, but sent a video message to acknowledge his awards.

“I just really wanted to send a message; I’m sorry I can’t be there with you,” said Hamilton.

“Autosport has been something that I’ve followed for so many years, I remember my first time there in 1995 and getting to meet so many great people and I know it’s an incredible event and it gets better every year.

“I want to say a big thank you to Autosport and the fans who vote for me – thank you so much for your support throughout the year.

“And [to] all the other nominees and contestants, and winners, congratulations.

“2018 hopefully has been an amazing year for you as it has been for me.

“I want to wish everyone an amazing Christmas with the family, hope you stay focused for 2019. I wish you all the best.”

Both prizes were collected in person by Hamilton’s brother Nicolas, who joked that “you have the most important Hamilton on stage” and said he plans to race in the British Touring Car Championship again in 2019.

Lewis Hamilton beat fellow F1 drivers Vettel, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso – who will step away from F1 for 2019 – plus respective IndyCar and Formule E champions Scott Dixon and Jean-Eric Vergne to the International Racing Driver of the Year award.

His ex-McLaren F1 team-mate and 2018 Super GT champion Jenson Button, Formula 2 title winner George Russell, DTM title combatants Gary Paffett and Paul di Resta and FE championship contender Sam Bird were the drivers Hamilton beat to the British Competition Driver award.

Meanwhile, Charles LeClerc won the Rookie of the year award for the second time in a row.