Formula 1 News: Verstappen takes top FIA awards in Rwanda
Champions and legends from the world of motor sport have been celebrated in spectacular style at the FIA Awards, which took place for the first time ever on the African continent in Kigali, Rwanda the night of December 13, 2024.
In the presence of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, 2024’s FIA Champions have been crowned at the BK Arena in the Rwandan capital, with the event hosted by the Rwandan Automobile Club and supported by partners Rolex, Hankook, AlphaTauri and RwandAir.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomed the evening’s guests saying: “Here in Kigali, we have shone a light on members of our motor sport family whose commitment, spirit, and endeavor are at the heart of our sport, and we look to the champions of the future, those just beginning their careers and enjoying their first taste of success.
“Congratulations to all our deserving winners, it is an honor to celebrate with you.”
The FIA Awards bring to a close one of the most fiercely contested seasons in recent memory across all of the FIA’s World Championships, with spectacular action and close competition reminding us why motor sport is a passion for so many.
There were several exciting new features added for the 2024 edition of this annual celebration, including the addition of an Action of the Year award for each of the World Championships, recognizing the unique and thrilling aspects of each of our varied categories. These awards were chosen by popular vote from thousands of fans across the FIA’s social media platforms.
Another new feature provided one of the standout moments of the evening, when the FIA Lifetime Achievement Award was announced. Rallying legend, pioneer of the FIA’s Women in Motorsport activities and dedicated rally safety advocate, Michèle Mouton, received a standing ovation from the crowd and received her award from FIA President Ben Sulayem.
Max Verstappen received the FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Champion trophy for the fourth consecutive year, joined in Kigali by the man who piled the pressure on in the second half of the season, McLaren’s Lando Norris, who takes home the runners-up trophy. Charles Leclerc returned to the FIA Awards for the second time, finishing third for Ferrari, while it was McLaren’s Zak Brown and Andrea Stella taking the Constructors’ trophy after a thrilling fight that went down to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
The most decorated manufacturer of the evening was, however, Toyota, with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teams triumphing in the FIA World Rally, Rally-Raid and Endurance Championships in 2024.
Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe reached the pinnacle of the rally world after five previous runners-up finishes in the WRC, sealing the title at the last round in Japan, while in W2RC it was the third consecutive drivers’ honors for Nasser Al-Attiyah and the first for his co-driver Edouard Boulanger.
There was an incredible seventh appearance for Johan Kristoffersson at the FIA Awards, as the Swedish driver again proved unmatched in the FIA World Rallycross Championship which this year uniquely pitted sustainably-fuelled ICE cars against full EVs in a ‘Battle of Technologies’.
Back to circuit racing, and it was another incredible year in the FIA World Endurance Championship, with the Hypercar category going from strength to strength. Ultimately it was Porsche’s André Lotterer, Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor who received the Champions’ trophies tonight in Rwanda – a second for Lotterer and first for both Estre and Vanthoor.
The tenth season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship was as ultra-competitive as we have come to expect from the groundbreaking electric series. In yet another title-deciding season finale, it was Pascal Wehrlein who triumphed.
Looking to the future, the FIA Awards brings the spotlight on those drivers who are rapidly rising through the ranks of motor sport. The FIA Karting World Champions were honored for their victories, with Kenzo Craigie, Ethan Jeff-Hall and Giuseppe Palomba receiving their coveted trophies for Junior, OK and KZ classes respectively.
A proven indicator for future stardom, the FIA Rookie of the Year rewards a driver who has produced an outstanding performance in their first season of a new category, and this year it was Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto who joins the likes of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri as a winner of this award.
Bortoleto also took to the spectacular stage to receive his FIA Formula 2 Champion trophy, alongside second and third placed finishers Isack Hadjar and Paul Aron.
Bernie Ecclestone received the FIA President’s Innovation Medal for a lifetime of achievements and contributions to the promotion of Formula 1, and the integral part he has played in transforming the pinnacle of our sport into the global spectacle it is today.
For the full list of 2024 champions and award winners, view the official FIA Prize Giving brochure.
