LONDON – Sebastian Vettel has been named International Racing Driver of the Year and the RB9 handed the prize for Racing Car of the Year at this year's Autosport Awards in the UK, the fourth year in a row driver and team have been honored in the categories.
Seb, who took a record-equaling 13 grand prix wins in a single season in 2013 to win his fourth world title in a row, entered the auditorium in the company of dominant WRC champion Sébastien Ogier of the Red Bull VW team; later in the evening Vettel was presented with his award by Sir Stirling Moss.
"It is still very special for me walking down those steps; it is absolutely humbling," Vettel told autosport.com at the award ceremony, which took place in London on Sunday night.
"It has been four years coming here to a room full of motorsport people. I wouldn't mind another four. I know how much work goes into achieving that, and I get to pick this nice trophy up at the end every time."
Collecting the award for Racing Car of the Year from former Williams designer Patrick Head, Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey was joined by a number of key people behind the RB9, including Chief Designer Rob Marshall, Head of Aerodynamics Peter Prodromou, Head of Car Engineering Paul Monaghan, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Dynamics Mark Ellis and the technical team's latest recruit, Pierre Wache.
The RB9 proved to be the team's most successful car yet with its 13 wins bypassing the dozen victories scored in 2011 with the RB7. The RB9 also took Seb and Mark Webber to 11 other podium finishes, 11 pole positions, 12 fastest laps and a grand total of 596 Constructors' Championship points, 236 clear of the team's nearest rival.
Accepting the award Adrian said: "I must admit that in August it all seemed quite tight – I don't know what happened afterward," Newey said of the run of wins that saw Sebastian equal Alberto Ascari's record of consecutive victories. "We made the second half of the year slightly boring, but go back to the start of the year, and it's been a magic time."
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI's Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit INFINITINews.com, "like" INFINITI on Facebook or follow the brand on Twitter @INFINITIUSA. For interesting content on INFINITI in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
About INFINITI in Formula One
INFINITI, the premium automotive brand, starts the 2013 season as Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing. With a deepened technical collaboration across people, process and technologies, an 'open door' approach is enabling both sides to access a pool of innovation, new technologies and R&D resources in the shared pursuit of precision and performance.
Since the partnership's inception in 2011 it has already seen the launch of the INFINITI FX Vettel Edition and product development input from Sebastian Vettel and test driver Sebastien Buemi for the all-new INFINITI Q50 premium sports saloon. INFINITI continues to be the most visible automotive brand in Formula One, and the deepened partnership will ensure closer alignment on an increasing number of future team collaborations.
For interesting content on INFINITI in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
# # #