NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sebastian Vettel was voted Overseas Sports Personality of the Year at the BBC's annual gala.
He's the second racing driver to win the award, following in the footsteps of Niki Lauda in 1977. He's also the third German: Boris Becker was given the award in 1985 and Steffi Graf in 1988.
Unlike the public vote, which determines the winner of the domestic award, the OSPY is voted for by a panel of 30 sports journalists. In recent times Roger Federer and Usain Bolt have dominated, each presented with the award three times – though a certain tennis-based bias has also seen Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic winning in the last few years. But given Seb's fourth Formula One Drivers' World Championship in a row and his record-equaling nine consecutive victories, he held the advantage in 2013.
"Thank you very much for the award," said Seb. "It's something very special if I look at the list of previous winners. It's been a fantastic year."
The BBC broadcasts F1 in the UK, and frequently racing drivers have been voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell (twice) and Damon Hill (twice) are all previous winners, as is John Surtees – though the 1964 World Champion won for his exploits on two wheels rather than four.
Recent Overseas Personality Winners
2012: Usain Bolt (athletics)
2011: Novak Djokovic (tennis)
2010: Rafael Nadal (tennis)
2009: Usain Bolt (athletics)
2008: Usain Bolt (athletics)
2007: Roger Federer (tennis)
2006: Roger Federer (tennis)
2005: Shane Warne (cricket)
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.
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Contacts:
For INFINITI U.S Communications, contact:
Kyle Bazemore
Senior Manager
Office: 615-725-3210
E-mail: kyle.bazemore@infiniti.com
For INFINITI Global Communications, contact:
Stefan Weinmann
General Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Phone: +852 3948 0126
Mobile: +852 9447 9973
Email: stefan.weinmann@infiniti.com
Jon Walsh
Senior Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Mobile: +852 9447 9705
Email: jon.walsh@infiniti.com
